Another step forward in getting ambulance

Speaking to area residents at another venue on Dec. 12, Mayor Lou Maieron said “I come to you tonight with some good News.”

But before making the announcement, Maieron thanked current and past council, the county, its councillors and Warden Chris White.

Maieron said he was recently asked for his opinion on the plan to have an ambulance stationed in Hillsburgh.

“I think that is really good News. It has been a long struggle, but we will be opening up our new fire hall and we will have an ambulance 12 hours a day - very soon ... at least if the city of Guelph does not overturn that decision.”

Maieron remained hopeful that if the recommendation had passed the committee level, it was unlikely to be overturned.

“It has been a long struggle to get the level of service we have been paying for.”

Last week, members of the operations, transit and emergency services committee authorized staff to enter a lease agreement for space at the new Hillsburgh fire hall.

The agreement must still be ratified by Guelph city councillors and Erin council. Such an agreement would likely be similar to the one for the Rockwood fire hall where the city pays for an ambulance parking space. Guelph-Wellington Emergency Medical Service is operated by the city, but provides ambulance service for all of Wellington County.

The move is considered a five-year trial to determine how the service works.