by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — A full-time fire chief is being sought for the Township of Whitewater Region.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said when looking at other municipalities similar to Whitewater Region with a certain number of stations and volunteers and geographic size, — McNab/Braeside; Mississippi Mills; Madawaska Valley and Tay Valley Township – they have full time chiefs.
“We’re trying to make sure we have continuity and leadership there to continue with the department,” he said.
It’s no longer just suppression and calls, but training of the firefighters, fire prevention, inspection and education, CAO Tremblay said.
“That full time person will be able to handle all those aspects,” he said, noting, “We have more volunteer firefighters than any other municipality in Lanark County and Renfrew County.”
He said Lanark Highlands is the only other fire department with five stations, besides Whitewater Region.
“The size and scope of our fire department, is such that we’re at a point now where we need to ensure we have full time leadership,” CAO Tremblay said.
However, the hiring of the chief will be within this year’s budgeted amount, which is $715,364, he said. There was $30,000 set aside for the former chief and deputy-chief’s positions.
“It’s a big line-item in our budget,” CAO Tremblay said. “It requires management and supervision.”
While the posting for the full-time chief’s position just went out, he said there is hope current firefighters will apply, since some do have the necessary requirements.
“We need to find the right mix,” CAO Tremblay said. “This person is to provide overall leadership on all aspects of the fire department.”
There’s hope a chief can be hired and working by year’s end or the start of 2018, he said. The current agreement with Renfrew Fire Chief Guy Longtin expires at the end of February, which would allow for some transition time.
While the Fire Master Plan is not yet completed, CAO Tremblay said preliminary consultations were held with Dillon Consultants and it was agreed that since the agreement with Renfrew expires at the end of February, waiting until then to hire wasn’t an option.
“It was a decision based on my review, Guy’s review and Dillon’s recommendations, so it was kind of a group recommendation to proceed now,” he explained. “Because we were in transition, the question of do you want to continue the way you are or do you get someone in for a few months, have Guy’s mentoring, and then also be part of the Dillon Fire Master Plan process.”
The new chief will also be in charge of emergency management planning, he said. This was done by staff, but with emergencies occurring fast and furious when they do occur, it’s a job that needs someone who can take charge right away, he explained.
