DAVIDSON—Services provided at motor vehicle collisions by volunteer fire departments such as Davidson’s will now be better compensated.

SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) recently announced it is dropping the non-productive call rate for time spent by fire departments responding to motor vehicle collisions on provincial highways.

As of March 1, fire departments will now be compensated at a rate of $913 per hour spent at a collision in 2018 instead of having their time spent at a call being classified at the lower, “non-productive call” rate of $549 per hour.

It’s good news for municipalities such as Davidson with a fire department that serves busy Highway 11. The change means the time spent by fire departments taking care of people in car wrecks or controlling traffic will be better compensated.

“This is going to make a big difference. It’s great that we kind of won one for a change, but we can’t give up the fight yet, but we’re a lot closer than we were,” Davidson’s community development officer Donna Bessey said.

She said according to a study conducted by fire departments last fall, $1,200 per hour is the number needed to break even, so they’re still about $300 short.

Davidson’s volunteer fire department responds to motor vehicle collisions and provides support throughout the area from north of Kenaston to Aylesbury on Highway 11, to Gardiner Dam to the west and Highway 2 to the east. Its costs are borne by the Town of Davidson and the local rural municipalities.

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