A new off-road rescue unit was a top item on the agenda at the Creighton town council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
In a letter to council, the Creighton Fire Depart-ment outlined the need for a snowbulance, an enclosed steel-and-polyethylene rescue unit that can be pulled behind a snowmobile for winter rescues.
“[The snowbulance] is equipped with a heater and light and a seat for the medic to monitor and care for the patient at all times,” reads the letter. “This would save time while transporting the patient, so we don’t have to stop on the trail to reassess the patient.”
The department also noted that a painkiller can be administered via IV while the patient is being transported.
“Every minute counts,” reads the letter.
A snowbulance can accommodate a patient on a stretcher or backboard along with one or two attendants, according to a description on the manufacturer’s website.
Council passed a motion to purchase a snowbulance at a cost of $4,781, plus taxes.
Ald. Neal Andrusiak, who coordinated the purchase, noted that the snowbulance will include an ATV kit so it can be used during the summer.
In their letter, the fire department also requested an enclosed trailer for transporting and storing the snowbulance, as the 10-foot long unit will not fit in the department’s current trailer or in the garage.
Council referred the decision on the trailer to the protective services committee for discussion.
Subsidy increased
Council agreed to increase its annual subsidy to Creighton Community Hall from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2016 in order to cover renovation expenses required by the building’s insurer.
In a letter to town council dated Feb.10, Dianna Boulet, secretary/treasurer for the centre, indicated that renovations up to that point had added up to $10,043 and included the installation of a stove, panic hardware for rear exits, sealing holes in the furnace room, replacement and repairs to drywall, and painting.
Work camp
Council approved a request from Jeff Wood of Cumberland Rentals to set up a temporary work camp beside the water treatment plant on King Crescent starting March 1, 2016 for a period of 18 months.
The approval is pending council’s approval of changes to a zoning by-law, and the developer meeting a number of conditions including: a site plan with a limit of six trailers and 15 people living in the camp; provision of water, sewage and waste disposal facilities complying with provincial regulations; and the maintenance of any natural topographical buffers, where possible.
Collaboration
Mayor Bruce Fidler noted that there has been discussion between the municipal councils of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach on working collaboratively on economic development.
“There have been preliminary discussions on getting together and setting up a committee of the three communities,” he said.
