Minto extends fire agreement with Howick, agrees to provide specialized rescue services

MINTO – The Town of Minto has approved a new five-year agreement to provide fire protection to a portion of Howick Township.

The new agreement, approved by bylaw at the Dec. 1 Minto council meeting, replaces a 2017 Fire Protection Agreement to provide emergency response to a designated area of Howick Township.

A report from Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow explains that in November, Howick Fire approached the town about adding a clause in the agreement to have Minto Fire provide confined space rescue and water rescue in Howick.

“We had no issue extending this service and having it pre-determined how much they would pay us for providing such service,” explained Harrow in the report.

“We also decided at this time to extend the existing agreement for another five years so we didn’t have to bring the agreement back to council in a year, when it was due to expire.”

The agreement stipulates Howick will pay Minto a flat fee of $6,500 annually for responses within the designated fire area.

For fire technical rescue services, Minto will bill Howick at standard MTO rates.

“We’re in favour of it and it’s pretty routine,” said Harrow of the decision to extend the agreement.