Council has agreed to an addition to its 60-member fire department.
Fire Chief Dan Callaghan was before council on Nov. 20 asking for personnel changes to the department to allow a firefighter to switch to a public education officer.
Callaghan explained that the department had invested a lot of money in this person as a fire safety/public education officer.
Callaghan said the person has relocated “slightly outside the town” and as such no longer qualifies as an active firefighter.
“We would like her to remain as a public education officer.”
He said there would be no additional cost to the town, because the person was being paid to do that job before.
“We would like to go one person over 60 to accommodate this.”
Chief fire prevention officer Len Papp said the department is legally obligated to provide fire safety education services.
He said this would ensure the department would continue to meet its statutory obligations.
Callaghan said this will not affect the fire department budget.
He asked council to support the recommendation that one firefighter is transferred to provide public education as their primary role within the fire service.
The purpose of fire prevention and public education is to prevent fire from occurring, limiting the loss of life, injuries and property damage in the event of a fire, and to educate residents on their responsibilities and steps they can take to protect themselves.
A fire department has to satisfy four key requirements: simplified risk assessment; smoke alarm program, including home escape planning; distribution of public education information and implementation of public education programs; and, fire prevention inspections upon complaint or request.
Callaghan noted the department has two public education officers who work together on the training. “We are trying to maintain two officers.”
He added that when hiring was done in March, a replacement was hired in anticipation of the change.
Council supported the move.
