The City of Dryden is being asked to make a decision on the future of fire services in the community.
Four different possible models were presented to Council Monday night.
Chief Ryan Murrell is proposing a different way of doing things by adopting a Work Experience program, using pre-service fire students from Colleges across Ontario, along with volunteer firefighters.
Murrell says it would give young firefighters a chance to move on to an unionized career in a bigger market, at the same time giving Dryden highly trained support on a yearly basis.
He says that model has been successful in B.C., with fire departments that are operating the program stating that 50% of their applicants come from Ontario.
However, it has never been tried in our province.
A report to Council shows making the change would have to account for a living allowance or housing for the students.
Murrell says it’s his goal to attract potential firefighters from the Dryden area.
Council, however, has held off on making any decision on a firefighting model.
Roger Valley says he needs more information and more in-depth financial impact studies.
Valley says the current model is already budgeted for and they have the funds for that.
He says moving to a new model, which is being suggested, requires new money, noting they are already facing tough financial times.
Valley says they currently have contractors in place in town and he wants to know how much it’s costing the City right now.
A report was presented to Council showing that the Fire Service is currently in the black by about $39,000.
Other Councillors expressed concerns regarding yearly turnover under Model #2 and no consistency in services.
Valley stresses a decision on firefighting services needs to be made sooner, rather than later.
Here are the released operating fund statements for the Dryden Fire Service:
Current: $175,425 2018
Budget: $214,725 2017
Final 2017: $99,039
Proposed Models for Fire Delivery: Model #1 (Current Model Using Trained Volunteers)
Full cost of department: $808,507
Cost per Household: $228.33
Cost per Capita: $104.34
% of Budget: 2.89%
Model #2 (Volunteers/Work Experience Program)
Full cost of department: $863,749
Cost per Household: $243.93
Cost per Capita: $111.47
% of Budget: 3.08%
Difference from 2018 Budget: $55,242
Cost per Household Increase: $15.60
Funding options: Savings within City’s overall budget, Using Reserves, Estimated Tax Increase 0.39%
Model #3 (Paid on Call Volunteers)
Full cost of department: $946,899
Cost per Household: $267.41
Cost per Capita: $122.20
% of Budget: 3.38%
Difference from 2018 Budget: $138,392
Cost per Household Increase: $39.08
Funding options: Savings within City’s overall budget, Using Reserves, Estimated Tax Increase 0.98%
Model #4 (Full Time/Volunteer Firefighters)
Full cost of department: $1,155,082
Cost per Household: $326.20
Cost per Capita: $148.06
% of Budget: 4.13%
Difference from 2018 Budget: $346,575
Cost per Household Increase: $97.87
Funding options: Savings within City’s overall budget, Using Reserves, Estimated Tax Increase 2.46%
