Community & Protective Services
We improve the quality of life for all citizens and visitors to our City from the region and beyond. Our three areas of focus are a strong regional centre, a safe community, and a caring and active community. Meeting the needs and facilitating opportunities for all members of the community to have fun and healthy experiences within a protected and safe environment is our primary mission. We accomplish this mission through the following customer service departments: The Crystal Centre, Family and Community Support Services, Muskoseepi Park, Recreation, Culture & Facilities, Police and Enforcement Services, and Fire and Disaster Services.
Community & Protective Services
FIRE & DISASTER SERVICES
Grande Prairie Fire Department is responsible for the delivery of emergency and safety services to our community and the region: Firefighting, 911 Service, Fire and Emergency Medical Service Dispatch, Medical Co-Response with GPREMS, Water and Ice Rescue, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, Inspection and Enforcement Program, Public Education, Regional Training, and Disaster Planning. The Department employs 44 firefighters and dispatchers.
- Addition of 12 firefighters and opening of the Salmond and Pete Eagar Fire Stations
- Successful bid for 2003 Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Conference
- Conducted firefighter training for County of Grande Prairie, Town of Grande Cache, Town of Spirit River, and Weyerhaeuser
- Acquisition of a third Thermal Imaging Camera, to see through smoke, and two laptops for computer aided dispatch in the mobile command unit
- Support of the Risk Watch Program - an injury prevention program with many community partners
- Actively involved in planning and preparing to minimize the impact of a pandemic influenza should one occur within the foreseeable future
- 29% increase in number of 911 calls received (24,725) and total number of emergency responses increased by 9.2%
We will continue to be strong supporters of local and provincial efforts to control and prevent injuries. Along with strengthening community and regional partnerships in 2002, we will strive to deliver the best possible emergency and safety services.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a partnership with the Province of Alberta that identifies and provides services to meet the social needs of the community. Services include: Home Support, Healthy Families, Community Program Support, and Project Funding.
- Nine interagency meetings were organized with 18 different information presentations delivered
- Support provided for School Community Team Advisory Committee, Community Housing Advisory Committee, Suicide Resource Network Committee, Critical Response Management Team, and Lifeline Advisory Committee
- Prevention of Family Violence Awareness Month Committee participation continued
- Home Support client hours doubled
- Community funding increased from the Provincial Government
- Joint training sessions with Mistahia Home Care
- Thirty families received support to raise their children to be physically, emotionally, and socially healthy through the Healthy Families Partnership
Helping to strengthen and stabilize family and community life is the FCSS focus and 2002 will see continued work in many social areas within the community.
CRYSTAL CENTRE 
The world of sport and entertainment continues to grow at Grande Prairie's Crystal Centre with exceptional guests, long-time and new clients, high profile events and the venue industry's hardest working staff!
- Concert activity is high with 186 special event days
- Management of Guest Services (security/ushers) was a great success
- Two in-house productions, "Ladies, We're Worth It" and our first ever Multi-Office Christmas Party, were sell-outs
- Business partnerships flourished with a Ticketmaster Canada contract to sell tickets for any Canadian Ticketmaster event and a new three year pouring rights agreement with Molson Canada
- Strong relationships continue with the Grande Prairie Storm Hockey Team and the Grande Prairie Athletics Hockey Team
- Funding for a feasibility study on the expansion of the Canada Games Arena was approved
- Trade show activity continues to grow: World of Women, the Home Show, Grande Prairie Auto Dealers Association, FoodFest, Festival of Trees, the Singing Christmas Tree and the Grande Prairie Regional College President's Ball
In 2002, concert, trade show, special event, and hockey activity will be on the rise, proving promoters, show organizers, and our all-important guests believe the Crystal Centre is in fact, the Centre of it all!
MUSKOSEEPI PARK
Muskoseepi Park's work team effectively manages over 440 hectares of park space by promoting natural areas, trails, facilities, education, recreation, special events, visitor services, and community partnerships for citizens and visitors to enjoy. The Park's amenities are continually upgraded and maintained to exemplify a modern, clean, colourful, and safe regional facility.
- A section of the South Bear Creek trails was reconstructed
- Borstad Hill was re-designed to be safer for tobogganing
- Mini-Train service initiated on the trail system during the summer
- The first Clown Camp was successfully run with participants trained in the clown arts, and then hired for events in the Park
- Fundraised $7,700 with the 24 Hour Relay
- Initiated the "Banners in the Park" program where local residents painted banners to hang in the Park
- Delivered 210 School Programs, an increase of 27% over 2000
- 71 Community and Park events held with over 42,000 people attending
- "Sundays in the Park" concerts throughout summer
In 2002 Muskoseepi Park's team will continue to improve existing facilities and services, and implement and market year-round opportunities for entertainment and recreation, to make Muskoseepi Park the regional centre for recreational opportunities.
POLICE & Enforcement SERVICES
The Department is comprised of 65 RCMP members, 10 Enforcement Services Officers, and supported by more than 20 municipal employees. These members provide 24 hour Policing Service, enforcement of Municipal Bylaws, Forensic Identification, General Investigation, Police Dog Service, Community Policing, Traffic Services, Mountain Bike Unit and School Liaison.
- Increased customer service with the amalgamation of City's Enforcement Services (Bylaw) with RCMP
- Expansion of Detachment with access to and renovation of the former Fire Hall
- Continued support and promotion of safe communities as a local and provincial initiative: Victims Assistance Program, COPS (Citizens on Patrol), Auxiliary Constable Program and Technical Search and Rescue
- Enhanced community partnerships to deliver opportunities for youth such as Camp Little Buffalo and the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program
- Held an Interagency Safety Day with all emergency service partners participating
- 23,453 files generated at the Detachment which included persons, property, drug and traffic offences
- Enhancement of Photo Enforcement Program
The events of September 11, 2001 have changed policing. Locally, police along with their counter- parts in fire and emergency medical services reflected on the importance and impact of our services to the community. Together, the importance of a coordinated effort is recognized as we continue to help make Grande Prairie the safest place to be.
RECREATION CULTURE & FACILITIES
Recreation, Culture & Facilities provides affordable leisure opportunities that are safe, healthy and fun for everyone. The Department is responsible for development and management of recreational facilities plus the maintenance on other City owned facilities. The needs of the community are diverse and requires the Department to maintain a strong network of partners. These partnerships enhance the Department's ability to deliver quality Customer Service by Connecting People, Places, Programs and Projects.
- Completed more energy efficient facility lighting and ventilation upgrades
- Implemented the new Operations Management System and on-line computerized Work Order System
- New indoor soccer centre opened
- Development progressed at the Community Knowledge Campus
- Completion of Recreation Facilities Standards Study on future capital construction projects
- The Leisure Centre enhanced access to weight room and completed upgrades to Pro Shop/Cafe
- Membership sales increased 27% at The Leisure Centre - plus 6,317 registered for swim programs
- Created synergy with community partners during Family Day Weekend with over 900 participants
- First year as national participant in Communities in Bloom and established first Winter Bloom Committee
- Over 350 children registered at The Kids Place Playschool, and another 400 youth participated in the summer playground programs
- Pursuit of Excellence Fund and the Arts Development Fund provided $52,500 in grants to athletes, coaches, and developing artists
We will continue to enhance partnerships and develop efficient infrastructure to respond to the challenges of growth and diversification of our community.