ERIN – A recent Town of Erin fourth-quarter financial report for 2024, revealed an increase in fire labour costs due to a “larger number of calls than anticipated.”
According to the report, shared by treasurer Wendy Parr at an April 10 council meeting, fire services had $1,357,581 in expenses for the quarter, over $200,000 more than expected.
Labour costs came in at the top of the expense list, at a total of $749,254.
“There were a greater number of fire calls in 2024,” said Parr. “I did review the labour for the volunteer staff and they did put in a lot more hours in 2024.”
Erin is serviced by two fire stations – Station 10 in Erin village and Station 50 in Hillsburgh – that together responded to 276 incidents in 2024, 79 of which took place in the fourth quarter.
Station 10 responded to two structure fires and three vehicle fires, with an accumulated total of $975,000 in damages. The station also responded to 15 vehicle collisions, 21 medical assistance calls, three carbon monoxide calls, eight false alarms, one burn complaint and 13 labeled “other”.
In a report shared with the Advertiser, the station also noted 65 incorrect page/cancel route calls.
Station 50 responded to significantly less calls, including; two motor vehicle collisions, one burn complaint and one labeled “other”.
Volunteer staff labour costs for both stations totalled $403,078, 7% more than budgeted for the year.
