Municipal Rescue Service Fund
Res #: 18-07M
Number: 18
Year: 2007
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: No
Departments: Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety
Resolution No, 18 – 07M
Municipal Rescue Service Fund
WHEREAS municipalities supply emergency services;
WHEREAS payment for services are not always recoverable from individuals, SGI or the Municipal Rescue Services Fund;
WHEREAS the majority of rescue services are provided for accidents occurring on provincial highways for the public in general, not necessarily ratepayers;
WHEREAS local property owners should not be responsible to fund emergency service costs through property taxes for matters that are of provincial jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS provincial h ighways are the responsibility of the Province;
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to cover emergency and rescue service costs that are billed to individuals who have been provided service when travelling on a provincial highway, including out of province vehicles.
Response from Honourable Darryl Hickie, Minister of Correction, Public Safety and Policing
As you may be aware the Municipal Rescue Services Fund (MRSF) was established after discussion with several stakeholders to more fully compensate municipal fire and rescue units for perfoming emergency services at motor vehicle crash scenes outside the area of jurisdiction. In particular, the fund serves to cover the cost for those services (e.g. debris clean-up) not otherwise recoverable through insurance.
As a first step in responding to the issue you have raised, I have asked my officials to contact you and also to discuss this matter further with Saskatchewan Government Insurance and the Ministry of Highways and Infastructure, as the latter two provide the funding to the MRSF. As part of thoe discussions, my officials will explore potential options related to your concerns so we can resond accordingly.
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