Blairmore Fire Chief relieved of duty, volunteer firefighters resign

type='html'>
Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Blairmore's  Fire Chief Jamie Margetak was "relieved of his active duty" by the MD of Crowsnest Pass on Monday, October 1, prompting an emergency meeting of the Blairmore Fire Department.  At that meeting, it has been reported that all 11 firefighters in attendance handed in their pagers and quit the department.

Margetak is a long-serving member of the Blairmore Fire Department, receiving a 30 year service medal in 2010.


Crowsnest blogger John Prince broke the story first (link) yesterday evening, and the MD of Crowsnest Pass released the following press release on Facebook today:

Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Press Release:
Effective October 1st, Station Chief Margetak has been relieved of his active duty. This action has prompted conclusion of additional fire service members from the Blairmore Station. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to advise the public that a contingency plan is in place and a protocol has been established to ensure the ultimate safety of the public while the transition takes place. The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass wishes to thank Chief Margetak for the years of dedication and service and wishes to thank also those fire fighters that remain on active duty.

In a recent Crowsnest Pass Herald (link) story Margetak expressed concerns about organizational changes to Emergency Response services announced by the Municipality.  “I think it was poorly handled,” he reportedly said.

In a press release dated September 29, 2011, the Municipality stated they had "directed administration to enhance the level of Risk Management for the safety and protection of the Community."  Calling separate fire departments and a separate rescue squad  "inefficient", the press release stated "The New Emergency Response Model will unite all Emergency Services, Fire, Ambulance, Police, Enforcement Services and Disaster Emergency Response Preparedness into one Protective Services Department."   A "platoon deployment model" and two emergency response zones figure into the plan, with one Fire Department expected to encompass Rescue and Support Services.

 A new Fire Chief and Manager of Protective Services for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass was recently hired.

The Municipal Council has faced a lot of criticism from residents over the cancellation of the area's biggest summer event, Thunder in the Valley, last summer.  The Blairmore Fire Department was the main organizer for that event.

Related link:

MD of CNP Facebook press release and discussion

More to come.