Duane Hicks
With administration having undertaken an extensive review of the fire department to establish an appropriate level of service for citizens while maximizing cost-effectiveness, town council passed a resolution Monday night to reduce the number of full-time firefighters here from eight to six, plus one chief.
As part of this, the town also will be working towards a more efficient platoon call-back system in order to reduce overtime costs.
Mayor Roy Avis said council had to consider the recommendation from administration to reduce staff and change the platoon system while making sure the public would remain safe.
“Council looks at the budget items and the cost to the taxpayer, but we also have to take everything into consideration, like safety,” he remarked.
“It’s not always a monetary issue,” the mayor stressed, adding they must both ensure citizens’ safety and “make sure our community’s affordable to live in.”
The number of full-time firefighters currently is seven as Frank Sheppard officially moved from his position as a full-time firefighter to chief earlier this month.
How the reduction of the other firefighter will take place currently is in the hands of human resources, said Mayor Avis.
“I am sure there will be a very good working relationship developed with the [firefighters’] association, and it will move in a positive manner that will satisfy both parties,” he noted.
The town wants to reassure residents that the staffing level of six full-time firefighters will not reduce the level of service provided to them, and that the fire department will maintain 24-hour coverage in the hall.
“Based on the direction provided by mayor and council, we will continue to provide the same level of service,” Chief Sheppard vowed, adding “the implementation of the platoon system and a rotating call-back system will work effectively with the new staffing level.”
Chief Sheppard also explained that the town has been reducing, and will continue to reduce, a number of the services the fire department has been providing to the district as it will no longer have the resources to handle this additional advisory and support work.
“It just means we’ll concentrate our work on Fort Frances,” he noted.
Former fire chief Gerry Armstrong has been hired by several district municipalities, including Emo, Dawson, Rainy River and Lake of the Woods to pick up these duties.
The change in staffing comes after a recent arbitration award to local firefighters.
The town has stated the cumulative cost, based on a staff of eight full-time firefighters, over the duration of the award would be $335,500, and that municipal taxes would need to increase by two percent to cover the costs of the award.
