Town of Okotoks officials are warning businesses to be aware and protect themselves following the conviction of Okotoks fire protection business, Premium Fire, on 15 counts of violating the safety code by using uncertified workers at Calgary businesses.
Judge Allan Fradsham convicted Okotoks company, Premium Fire Protection, of not using certified workers in some instances when checking fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers and sprinkler and fire suppression systems at Calgary businesses.
Fradsham found Premium Fire Protection guilty of 15 counts of violating the Safety Codes Act in a 73-page written decision. The company was acquitted on nine of the charges. Fradsham said in some cases it was not clear which of the company’s workers performed the work due to irregularities in documents that track their activity or a lack of evidence.
Elaine Vincent, Town of Okotoks CAO, said businesses
should put steps in place to protect themselves if they hire Premium Fire.
“They (Premium Fire) can continue to do business,” Vincent said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t say buyer beware.”
The Town of Okotoks hired Premium fire earlier this year to replace a sprinkler system at the recreation centre, however the company backed out of the contract at the end of April, Vincent said.
“They could not meet the terms and conditions and withdrew from the contract,” she said.
The Town’s contract required Premium to take several steps to ensure certified workers were being used, including a list of workers on the project, a sign-in at the site, and increased supervision.
Vincent, said the Town cannot cancel the company’s business licence based on the convictions.
“We are not the governing body,” Vincent said. “Our business licence should not imply we are the regulator of the industry.”
Vincent said the Town has far fewer resources than Calgary, which conducted a months-long investigation resulting in 60 charges against Premium Fire, its owner Kurt Bertrand, Premium Fire employees and companies that hired Premium Fire.
She said the Town of Okotoks’ 27 fire department staff handle all the fire equipment inspection work, which is not their top priority. The fire departments top priority is responding to emergency calls and conducting safety code checks for building permits.
Vincent said due to a lack of resources the Town can only respond to fire protection system issues when they are raised by business. The Town has not received any complaint alleging uncertified work done by Premium Fire, Vincent adds.
“If anyone feels something like this has happened to them, that is a complaint we would actively investigate,” she said.
On June 11, Fradsham also dismissed a Jordan application to have charges against six employees dismissed due to the length of time it took for them to get to trial.
Bertrand’s trial begins Monday, June 21 in Calgary Provincial Court.
