Fire Department Recruitment Rises From The Ashes

Craig Bakay | Jul 10, 2024

At a special Addington Highlands Council meeting back in January of 2023, Fire Chief Casey Cuddy gave a report that nobody was expecting . . . or wanted to hear.

Because of new regulations at the time (Fire Protection and Prevention Act 342/22) requiring all firefighters to be certified, the Denbigh Fire Department was in real danger of closing. This requirement would come into effect July 1, 2026. Another fire regulation requires 10 certified firefighters be available to attack a fire and Denbigh simply didn’t have enough.

Flash forward to last week’s regular AD Council meeting on July 2. This time Cuddy had a new report, thanks to Township efforts and hosting a course in Denbigh, the force is now 11 strong and in no danger of dissolving in the near future.

“We hosted a town hall in Denbigh, in early January, where a presentation on what makes a good firefighter as well as the legislative requirements was presented,” Cuddy said. “A Q & A period followed and six people picked up application packages.

“It was suggested from the back of the room at the town hall that we have 12 current members that want to take the training and get certified if the training was closer for them to attend.”

So, they brought in a lead instructor as part of a contract with the fire college and ran a NFPA 1001 firefighter course in Denbigh.

“We had three existing department members and three new recruits take the course over the past few months,” Cuddy said. “We also had four from the North Frontenac Fire Department take the course with us.”

The exams were done on the May long weekend and all passed the practical exams and all but one of our members have passed the written exam, and Cuddy is working scheduling a rewrite for the one that needs it.

“Everyone that completed the course put a great deal of time and dedication into it and deserves praise,” he said.

The department plans to run an NFPA 100 FF2 course in the fall as well as the required hazardous materials (Hazmat) course after which these members will be fully certified firefighters.

“The approximate cost per firefighter for the course including instructors, OFC fees, travel, food and materials was $1,300,” Cuddy said. “This ended up being cheaper than sending members out and paying their travel costs and course costs.

“There will still be all the other costs associated with personal protective equipment, wages, etc that were budgeted for.”

Cuddy said it was very time consuming to put the course on but it has paid off and the department should be in good shape with at least 11 firefighters.”

“You always want more but this is a needed step forward and thanks to all the participants,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

MVCA predicts growth due to decreased travel times to major centres

As roadways improve and travel times decline, recreational and housing demands on rural areas like Addington Highlands are bound to increase, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority GM Sally McIntyre told Council. As such, the MVCA is working on new strategies to accommodate those demands as well as continue their regular mandates such as flood control.

“In the ’80s, it was a full hour to get from Perth to Ottawa,” she said. “Now, it’s 40 minutes.”

On another matter, Coun. Ken Hook asked if the North Frontenac Parklands campsite program was at a break even point or even making a bit of profit.

“This is just hearsay,” McIntyre said. “But they’re highly subsidized and they have a system where you have to drive and park in that area.

“The hearsay is that it’s quite lucrative.”

The cake has it

When it was pointed out that the Flinton Library Board would like Reeve Henry Hogg to cut the cake at its 75th anniversary celebration Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hogg responded: “I saw it in there but I didn’t agree to it.”

He paused a minute and then with a twinkle in his eye said, “I’ll be there.”

Busy Road department

Heavy rains have caused a lot of washouts and the grader (along with other equipment) has been busy, Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie reported.