Coaldale offering property tax rebates for businesses that employ volunteer firefighters

Jan 15, 2020 | 2:33 PM

COALDALE, AB – The Town of Coaldale is offering a first-of-its-kind incentive in Alberta for local businesses.

Companies that are situated in Coaldale and both employ and provide paid release time for volunteer firefighters who respond to emergency calls while at work will be able to apply for property tax rebates of up to $2,000 per year per business.

“We understand the great amount of sacrifice that local businesses face as a result of allowing volunteers to leave during daytime work hours,” says Mayor Kim Craig. “This is our way of thanking those businesses for their sacrifice and commitment to the safety of our community.”

The purpose of the initiative is to thank local employers who allow their staff to do this vital work.

The exact amount that is rebated will be indexed according to the number of response hours.

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Businesses will be able to start applying for the program in early 2020 and will extend to volunteer firefighters who are self-employed business owners in Coaldale.

“Without the support of our local businesses, we would struggle to have enough responders during the day to respond to emergency calls,” adds Fire Chief Kevin McKeown. “We are excited that Council recognized the importance of this initiative as an incentive for local businesses to continue supporting their staff – our dedicated firefighters – in day time response.”

“We are deeply appreciative of the sacrifices that are made, and hope the number of beneficiaries of this program expands in the future.”

Currently, the Coaldale Fire Department has 31 volunteer firefighters. They responded to a record 420 calls for service in 2019.

by David Opinko