Consultants, the Loomex Group, presented a fire master plan to Minden Hills council Sept. 25 with just eight recommendations. It also contains 24 other initiatives.
The first was that fire chief, Don Kruger, work with members to develop a recruitment and retention program designed to recognize volunteer firefighters.
The second was developing a firefighter health and wellness program, including for mental health.
Third, Loomex suggested the fire chief investigate the possibility of developing a training facility in Minden Hills for
practical training. Now, they go to Algonquin Highlands.
Next, it was recommended council provide financial support to the firefighters to maintain their DZ driver’s licences to drive fire department vehicles.
Loomex said Kruger should continue to monitor department response and “focus on whether the fire department needs to increase its staffing levels, particularly during regular business hours, weekends, and holidays.”
It also encouraged council to continue to properly fund the department for upkeep of the new fire hall.
Another recommendation is that Minden Hills should do a water supply study for the non-hydrant-protected area of the community.
“The study should aim to determine whether it is feasible to install dry hydrants in those locations. The study should also identify the best locations for dry hydrants in the township,” the consultant said.
In addition, councillors were told they should continue to use the budgeting process to provide the department with
funding it needs to replace fire apparatus and fire service equipment that has reached its life expectancy.
Coun. Pam Sayne said the report was very informative. She liked the recommendation about licences in particular, noting the cost of a DZ licence is very expensive. She also asked what a dry hydrant is. The consultant said it is a pipe put deep into a body of water so it does not freeze and remains in place to be accessed by pumper trucks.
Coun. Tammy McKelvey queried whether they ask for dry hydrants now for large developments. Kruger said they can ask for cisterns to be installed.
Mayor Bob Carter asked about the need for a training facility.
“Did we consider the fact we have four departments in Haliburton County that have mutual aid plans instead of Minden Hills developing this; that one be developed that is shared.”
Kruger said there is a facility in Algonquin
Highlands used for new recruits. Butfor weekly training, it’s “quite a drive to get there.” It means they cannot respond quickly if there is a call in the community while they are away. He added it would allow them to do more live fire training.
Carter also wanted to know how realistic it was for rural fire departments to do the work suggested in the recommendations and initiatives, such as formalizing handshake agreements about mutual aid. The consultant agreed “the administrative side of it is a nightmare, especially when it’s a one or two person show that’s doing it.”
He added it is not uncommon for Loomex to recommend 30, 40 or 50 things, but Minden Hills’ fire department “is in pretty good shape comparatively … you really need to support that and build it up.”
CAO Cynthia Fletcher asked council to receive the report as information only.
“Every one of these recommendations would almost be mini business cases. If we were to bring them to council, they need to be fleshed out with much more detail.”
She added they may partner with other townships on some recommendations and initiatives and would report back quarterly.
