Plans are well underway to merge the fire services between Callander and the Township of Nipissing under a jointly managed fire board.
The aim is to establish one fire department to serve both Municipalities.
See: Callander and Nipissing township looking to merge fire departments
Todd Daley, Fire Chief told BayToday that the big benefit is the better allocation of available resources.
"We go from four apparatus to nine apparatus and we go from 25 firefighters to 50 firefighters available to deal with emergencies. That's a big thing."
Daley says the merger will also result in better response capabilities for the residents of then south shore of Lake Nipissing.
"Most of the firefighters live in the Town of Callander or close to the Village of Nipissing and it takes longer to get firefighters to the south shore. A call from the south shore means that it doesn't matter if it's on the Nipissing side of the border or the Callander side, all the people in that area respond."
Daley also expects to see financial benefits.
"We're splitting costs 50-50 so each municipality needs to buy a new tanker. By being joined we just need one so you are looking at savings of about $150,000 to each municipality, and we'll end up with a bigger tanker actually."
Right now each department has 29 positions but by merging we don't need 58 people, we can go to less firefighters.
Daly points out that it costs $3,000 to outfit each firefighter with personal protective equipment
A public information meeting will be held to provide further information, answer questions and receive comments about the operation of a Joint Fire Department.
The first is Wednesday, August 9th, 7 p.m. at the Callander Community Centre on Swale Street.
The next day another will be held at 7 p.m. at the Nipissing Community Centre.
For more information, contact Municipality of Callander CAO Mike Purcell at 705-752-1410 or Township of Nipissing CAO Charles Barton at 705-724-2144.
