The South Central Protective Services Association has called towns, villages and RMs in the south central district for input on preferences for types of protective services training ahead of its December meeting.
The SCPS promotes co-ordinated emergency and protective services for south central Saskatchewan. The association will be meeting next on December 6 in Assiniboia.
At their last meeting in Assiniboia, the South Central Protective Services Association agreed to send the request to the towns, villages and RMs of the district about protective services training that these individual communities are seeking. The goal is to the benefit community. The association also sent out brochures outlining the benefits of the SCPS, its organizational structure, mission statement and membership list.
Its members include council members, representatives of fire departments, RCMP and other emergency services.
There are members from the towns of Gravelbourg, Assiniboia, Coronach, Lafleche, Rockglen, Mossbank and Willow Bunch, the villages of Wood Mountain and Viceroy, as well as the surrounding RMs of Lake of the Rivers, Poplar Valley, Old Post, Excel, Lake Johnston, Willow Bunch, Stonehenge and Sutton.
The South Central Protective Services Association is involved in several activities including purchasing materials and putting on classes, said Erwin Jackson, chair of the South Central Protective Services Association. “The SCPS was instrumental in getting in the 911 program,” he described one of their past projects.
Another major accomplishment of the SCPS has been raising funds for the much-needed life-saving Mass Casualty trailer located in Assiniboia, said Jackson. This special project took a lot of hard work and determination in fundraising. This trailer is now available in the Assiniboia area to those that will need it in the event of a catastrophe. He added that the association also purchased First Responder kits. One of the agenda items at the meeting was a discussion about further purchases of emergency equipment for public protection.
The SPCS also organizes emergency and protection classes. Classes for protective services are now being considered for next February in Assiniboia. The classes will be run at cost recovery with discounts for SCPS members.
Community protective shapes the SCPS’s activities and emergency needs. “It’s up to the communities about what they want and what they need,” Jackson explained. The association was formed to bring together those responsible for protective services in the region to provide the public of South Central Saskatchewan with the best possible service.
The association’s operating funds come from a number of sources. It conducts some fundraising, but it also receives grants and donations. It does have funding set at $2 per capita per year for each member. The SCPS holds quarterly meetings and special meetings if needed. It works to improve the delivery and coordination of the fire and police protection services, and emergency medical and emergency preparedness services.
The SCPS maintains high quality protective services with the latest equipment and technologies in rural communities are expensive. The association coordinates the services for the benefit of all partners by finding new and innovative ways to develop. The SCPS overcomes budget issues by sharing resources, coordinating training efforts, establishing a buying pool and other efforts.
