Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Greater Napanee council welcomed back a familiar face to discuss the town’s fire master plan.
Former GNES fire chief Terry Gervais, now a director of education and compliance with The Loomex Group, presented council with an overview of the fire master plan during June 22’s council meeting.
“First and foremost we want to make sure the municipality is complying with the act and any other applicable legislation, including the Health and Safety Act or any other Highway Traffic Act and some of those various other legislations that are out there and best practices and standards that are in the fire service,” said Gervais.
He went on the say the plan will include recommendations for three lines of defense to protect the municipality from fires-public education, code enforcement and fire suppression.
“It’ll also provide council and the fire chief with a vision so that proper budgeting can be put in place and implemented and can be provided that mitigates any chances of surprise for the municipality,” added Gervais.
The Loomex Group has already been in contact with GNES fire chief John Koenig and will continue to do so over the coming months. The final plan is expected to be complete by October.
“There’s a lot of stake holders in this plan and no one has any more vested or less vested interest,” said Gervais. “Right from your residents to your businesses and staff, council, your municipal partners, other divisions in your municipality and of course the officers and firefighters of the fire services.”
Included in the report will be direction on the best practices for training and education for the town’s fire services as well as the expected life cycle of equipment and projected budgets.
“I really think you got a chance to change the face of your Emergency Services for the residents and businesses in the Town of Greater Napanee for the next decades to come,” added Gervais.
Council voted to receive the presentation.