1 In this Policy:

a	“emergency services” means (as defined in the Municipal Government Act), services related to the provision of emergency services, including fire services, emergency medical services, search and rescue, water rescue and assistance and protection for people and property in the event of disasters including, but not limited to, floods, hurricanes, motor vehicle accidents and chemical spills;
b	“emergency services provider” means a municipality, village, fire commission, incorporated Society, corporation or other body or organization which provides one or more emergency services;
c	“MGA” means the Municipal Government Act;
d	“Municipality” means the Municipality of the District of Shelburne;
e	“mutual aid emergency services provider” means any emergency services provider which responds to a call for assistance and support within a municipality in which it is not located at the request of a primary emergency services provider;
f	“primary emergency services provider” means any emergency services provider which is proposed, expected and intended to be called first for the provision of a particular emergency service within the Municipality;
g	“registered” means registered by the Municipality in accordance with Part X of the MGA and the provisions of this Policy.

Primary Emergency Services Providers

2

The Municipality acknowledges, and expresses its gratitude – and that of its citizens, property owners and ratepayers – to, the primary emergency services providers including Emergency Management Response, ambulance, volunteer fire brigades and/or other bodies corporate, for the particular emergency services for which such entities are registered.

Mutual Aid Providers

3	The Municipality acknowledges, and expresses its gratitude – and that of its citizens, property owners and ratepayers – for the mutual aid and/or support services provided by the mutual aid emergency services providers, including Emergency Management Response, ambulance, volunteer fire brigades and/or other bodies corporate located outside its boundaries for the provision of the particular emergency services for which such entities are registered.
4	The Municipality authorizes primary emergency services providers to request and obtain assistance – where reasonably necessary – from other, unregistered fire emergency services providers that are lawfully authorized primary emergency services providers in another geographic area, municipal unit or jurisdiction.
5	The Municipality adopts as a mutual aid agreement for purposes of s.302 of the MGA:
	a.	Each standing mutual aid agreement entered into by a registered primary emergency services provider; and
	b	Each ad hoc request made by a registered primary emergency services provider for assistance at fires, rescues and other emergencies which results in another emergency services provider responding to assist.

Finances

6	Nothing in this Policy authorizes a primary emergency services provider to obligate, or purport to obligate, the Municipality to make cash payments, or any other type of re-imbursement, for the provision of mutual aid or assistance.
7	Council may, at its discretion, guarantee a loan at the request of a registered primary emergency services provider, subject to Council being satisfied that:
	a	The purpose of the loan is for a necessary building or structure, vehicles, machinery, fire-fighting equipment, tools, real estate, special clothing, boots, hats and all other such associated gear or equipment; and
	b	The providing of said guarantee will not create undue financial risk for the Municipality.
	c	Council may, at its discretion, grant or loan money or assets for primary emergency services providers.

Insurance

8	Registered primary emergency services providers shall arrange and pay for public liability insurance, including motor vehicle liability insurance through:
	a	Participation in the applicable insurance program established and administered by the Municipality; or
	b	Making arrangements for its own policy of comprehensive general liability insurance, in form and substance acceptable to the Municipality, providing coverages for a limit of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) for each occurrence of a claim of bodily injury (including personal injury), death or property damage, including loss of use thereof, that may arise directly or indirectly from the acts or omissions of the registered primary emergency services provider.
9	The insurance policy referred to above shall include the following terms:
	a	a cross-liability insurance clause endorsement acceptable to the Municipality; and
	b	a clause requiring the insurer to provide 30 days prior written notice to the Municipality in the manner set forth in the insurance policy in the event of the termination, expiry, variation or non-renewal of the policy.
10	Any registered, or proposed to be registered, primary emergency services provider making its own arrangements for insurance shall submit to the Municipality proof of the insurance coverage in the form of a certificate and a copy of the relevant portion or portions of the insurance policy incorporating the terms and clauses referred to in the foregoing clauses.

Application for Registration

11	Any emergency services provider who will, or may be, providing emergency services within the Municipality shall fill out, provide all the information required and sign an application form – a copy of which is attached to this policy as Schedule “A”.
12	Where a mutual aid emergency services provider is applying for registration with the Municipality it is recommended that its own municipality, village or fire commission apply jointly by using the same application form – which would then be signed by both and both would be shown as the named applicants.
13	The Municipality shall register an emergency services provider that complies with the requirements of the MGA and this policy if:
	a	it possesses the basic equipment required to provide the emergency services it offers to provide;
	b	the Municipality is satisfied that the applicant is capable of providing the emergency services it offers to provide;
	c	it meets the insurance requirements outlined herein;
	d	it does not provide emergency services for profit;
	e	the Municipality does not provide, or support others to provide, the same primary emergency services in the same area; and
	f	it has properly completed and signed an application in the form provided by the Municipality.

Registration – General Provisions

14	Registration is effective upon the Chief Administrative Officer (or his or her designate) signing the application form on behalf of the Municipality and shall be for the services for which application is made unless the contrary is indicated by the Municipality when approving the registration.
15	Registration continues in effect unless and until revoked by the Municipality for cause or withdrawn at the request of the applicant.
16	Any registered emergency services provider in the Municipality shall update the information on its application form if it ever changes the emergency services it feels it is capable of providing or in the event of a change to any other information required on the application form.
17	Failure to comply with this policy may, at the discretion of the Council of the Municipality, constitute one form of cause for the Municipality to revoke the registration of an emergency services provider.

18	An annual meeting shall be held, in relation to the services provided by each registered primary emergency services provider, within the territory for which it is registered in order to report to, and answer questions from, the public concerning fire response and/or emergency services. Such annual meeting shall be:
	a	organized and conducted by the registered primary services provider when that provider is located within the Municipality;
	b	organized and conducted by the Municipality, and attended by key representatives of the registered primary services provider when that provider is located outside the Municipality;
	c	advertised by the organizers by flyers posted in a minimum of five (5) conspicuous places within the boundaries of the Municipality; and
19	Such annual meeting may be held concurrently with the annual meeting of a fire commission, brigade, society or other similar group, or with an elector’s meeting convened by a Council member.

Reporting to Council

20

Each registered primary emergency services provider shall provide a report to the Council of the Municipality at least once each year accounting for the use of funds provided, or guaranteed by the Municipality, which shall include a summary of payments made and the current standing of any loans made by, or guaranteed by, the Municipality.

21

All emergency services providers shall, to the best of their abilities and judgment, refrain from undertaking any activity unless the benefit of the activity appears at the time to outweigh the risks, including any risks arising from deficiencies or limitations of trained personnel, command and equipment at the site.

22

The Municipality shall establish, by the adoption of this policy, a registry in the form of a binder – and assign, by motion of Council, the task of administering same to a Municipal staff person or official – wherein is to be kept and maintained all records of applications, insurance policies and other materials related to this policy.