Did you know?
The Election 2026 Town Hall at the Townshend Theatre has passed; it was a privilege to attend alongside two esteemed members of the Fort Frances Professional Firefighters Local 1012. A special shout-out goes to Andrew Flynn of the Fort Frances Times for keeping the evening running smoothly as moderator.
Meanwhile, going forward, the successful candidates will soon step into office ready to tackle universal municipal issues like taxation, infrastructure, economic development, housing, homelessness and community safety, alongside previously tabled items.
Interestingly, none of the candidates addressed community risk reduction or emergency services. To be fair, first-time candidates may lack familiarity with these areas; incumbents likely understand them to a certain extent.
When the OPP and the District of Rainy River Services Board (which oversees local paramedic services) were mentioned, it was merely to claim that these costs are out of municipal control. However, of the board of directors’ 13 members, 10 make up either a municipal mayor/reeve or councillor representing their respective communities, alongside three representatives for the unincorporated areas.
Community safety
Traditionally, when mayors/reeves and councillors refer to community safety, they are generally referring to the mandated Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019. Back on October 25, 2021, the Town of Fort Frances mayor and council endorsed the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for the Rainy River District. This plan was originally drafted by staff at the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board before the organization’s name changed on August 22, 2023.
Unlike plans that cover physical emergencies like fires or disasters, this mandated plan focuses strictly on social risk factors, crime prevention and vulnerable populations. Additionally, fire services and emergency management are excluded from this community safety and well-being plan as they are governed by their own specific legislation. Furthermore, community risk reduction falls under the authority of the fire service, supported by a community risk assessment that undergoes annual review.
Multi-sectoral community safety
The next mayor and council will need to consider key areas when it comes to multi-sectoral community safety for the Town of Fort Frances. Multi-sectoral community safety isn’t just about paperwork or budgets—it is about us, our families and our neighbours. It’s about a senior who is afraid to walk down an icy sidewalk or roadway because no sidewalk exists! It’s about parents wanting their kids to play outside safely, and families hoping their homes and neighbourhoods are protected if a sudden emergency or disaster hits.
A safer community starts with leadership that focuses on what matters most on the ground. To get there, our next municipal council needs to prioritize:
- Fast emergency response and immediate help with boots on the ground when needed: Ensuring police, paramedics, and firefighters can reach our doors quickly, backed by fully staffed, experienced people. Just as important, we need to ensure we have adequate staffing and experienced people within our public works department, power corporation and airport.
- Neighbourhood security: Giving residents the peace of mind that their streets are secure so they can rest easy at night.
- Protecting vulnerable residents: Safeguarding those who need an extra hand, including seniors, children and people with disabilities.
- Disaster and crisis resilience: Protecting everyday families from losing everything when a natural disaster or major emergency hits.
Building resilience through strategic collaboration
Effective multi-sectoral community safety requires moving beyond isolated efforts. By empowering robust partnerships, organizations and neighboring municipalities, as well as cross border resources can create a synchronized, resilient framework capable of protecting residents before, during, and after an emergency or crisis.
Emergency preparedness readiness
The next municipal council needs to be aware that throughout our vast country, communities continue to face a persistent challenge regarding emergency preparedness readiness. A lack of resources—spanning from staffing levels for emergency services, physical equipment and infrastructure to political willpower—frequently leaves communities defenceless.
Without dedicated funding, proactive leadership or political support, communities lack the necessary foundation to withstand a major crisis. Historically, vital resources like the fire rescue service and emergency management/preparedness budgets are frequently capped at minimal increases or, in some cases, drastically reduced.
Procedures (protocols/steps/plans)
In the interest of community safety, community risk reduction, as well as emergency preparedness readiness, it is imperative that the Town of Fort Frances and its respective divisions have up-to-date procedures (protocols/steps/plans), standard operating procedures (SOPs), operating guidelines (OGs) and policies in place, and can demonstrate annual compliance with regard to training and annual refresher training.
In addition, it’s also vital that the next council take an active role in our community’s municipal emergency plan, as it is one of the most important public-safety tools a municipality can maintain.
The Foundation of Results: Building a stronger foundation together, for our future
A thriving community rests on a strong foundation of relationships. Whether right here at home, across the river with International Falls or outward through our district and province, our partnerships define our collective success. Great relationships consist of:
- Trust
- Respect
- Freedom of expression
- A shared commitment among all stakeholders
The size and depth of relationships are based on how much trust, respect and freedom of expression are present. As well, when there is a shared commitment among all stakeholders, the relationship is enhanced. If you want to expand the results—expand the relationship(s).
Having great relationships gives you possibilities, which are determined by the relationships we have with the people with whom we are attempting to create. As well, it is limiting and difficult to create anything with people with whom we have little or no relation; remember, when there is mistrust, fear, disrespect and withheld communication, creativity, innovation and openness are constrained, which limits the freedom to create possibilities.
Possibilities open the door to opportunities; the more possibilities, the more opportunities to take action.
Opportunities prompt action; we determine our actions based on the opportunities, or openings to act, that are available to us. Taking action gives you results. Whatever results we are trying to achieve are the function of the actions that we take (or don’t take) as leaders and members of our community. Those results can be very specific and measurable, as well as highly desirable. And that, in turn, can be called: The foundation for results.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
