With the Rainy River District School Board busy getting J.W. Walker back in shape over the March Break, the mayor and administration offered a few words of thanks Monday night to all those involved in the gas leak and fire there two weeks ago.
“I’d like to say how serious a matter this was for our community and thank our early responders . . . and also all the support staff and management staff from the town hall for handling this in a professional way,” said Mayor Roy Avis.
“The residents were asked to leave their residences. It was a must because of the situation, and I’d like to thank them very much for their co-operation,” he added.
“I just want to echo, speaking on behalf of all the workers of the Town of Fort Frances, how impressed I was with the response overall,” said CAO Mark McCaig.
“As Mayor Avis touched on, first response—that being the ambulance, fire department, and police—did such an effective job of going in there, getting everybody out of there in a quick and orderly and safe fashion,” he added.
“The fire department—I just can’t say enough about their commitment and their professionalism, from the chief right down through the full-time firefighters to a huge complement of volunteers—they did a first-rate job,” McCaig continued.
“Some of those guys were out there for 18-20 hours. It was so impressive,” he remarked. “It was not the best of evenings—it was very cold.
“I thought that they were very professional, very organized. I have the utmost confidence in them.”
McCaig said the town had set up an emergency command centre, and that those involved in managing the town’s response to the incident, including Deputy Mayor Sharon Tibbs, worked together smoothly.
“It was a horrible thing to happen, but in some respects it was good to see that a lot of the preparation that’s been done by the fire department and the administration . . . in regards to the community control group was beginning to take shape very well and look very professional,” he noted.
McCaig also thanked town staff who were called in to answer phones early in the morning after the explosion and fire, Pubic Works crews who worked at the school site, and Memorial Sports Centre staff who were prepared to help out evacuees who came to the arena auditorium for shelter.
As well, communications officer Darryl Allan was thanked for keeping the media updated, and B93•FM for regular updates in relation to the incident beyond its normal broadcasting hours.
“I did want to say to their residents of the Town of Fort Frances, your emergency services personnel were there for you,” McCaig concluded. “They responded in a professional manner, and you should really take comfort knowing these are top-notch professionals.
“I’m very, very proud of the way the town responded to this.”
Coun. Paul Ryan also noted nine fire personnel from the International Falls Fire Department assisted on the scene and helped relieve Fort Frances firefighters.
As well, International Falls mayor Shawn Mason notified the town that their Public Works staff were available to assist with cleanup if needed. Boise Cascade also offered its resources.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•denied a BIA request for weekly curbside collection of recycling materials;
•agreed to an agreement for a $6 wage subsidy per co-op student for the 2008 summer work season, under the Northern Ontario Youth Internship & Co-op Student Wage Subsidy;
•accepted and approved the January, 2008 drinking water systems monthly summary report (it noted the average daily consumption was down compared to the last two years of recording due to recent upgrades at the water treatment plant);
•agreed to donated $50 to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
•agreed to donate $100 to the Rainy River District Festival for the Performing Arts;
•approved the transfer of the remainder of the Myrtle Gaylord Estate, in the amount of $423.75, to the Sister Kennedy Centre reserve fund;
•approved the transfer of $125,232.38 from the Administration and Finance surplus reserve fund, and $69,769.11 from the library building fund, for capital expenditures in 2007;
•voted against altering the apportionment formula for the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board;
•approved travel expenses for CAO Mark McCaig in the amount of $489 (this was for a trip to Toronto to meet with a solicitor and for attending the OGRA-ROMA conference from Feb. 21-27);
•approved travel expense and per diem claims Mayor Roy Avis in the amount of $1,974.52 (this was for attendance at the OGRA-ROMA conference in Toronto on Feb. 24-27);
•approved travel expense and per diem claims for Coun. John Albanese in the amount of $1,385.66 (this was for attendance at the OGRA-ROMA conference in Toronto on Feb. 24-27);
•approved travel expense and per diem claims for Coun. Paul Ryan in the a mount of $1,504.41 (this was for attendance at the OGRA-ROMA conference in Toronto on Feb. 24-27); and
•approved a travel expense claim for Coun. Sharon Tibbs in the amount of $120 (this was for attendance at the “Path of the Voyageur” regional planning meeting in Kenora on Feb. 21).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
