No hire for fire
Wed Mar 19, 2008
By: By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- Another full-time firefighter is needed to take strain off existing staff, says Uxbridge's fire chief. Fire Chief Scott Richardson presented a report to Uxbridge's emergency services committee on March 17, explaining his reasoning behind hiring a full-time firefighter. Currently, the fire department counts on the services of 35 part-time volunteers, as well as Chief Richardson and Captain Ken Maynard, Uxbridge's fire prevention officer, who are full-time. But the chief noted existing staff are "performing routine maintenance on a weekly basis. This commitment is over and above their response requirement." Extra duties include cleaning, changing lightbulbs and checking pumps, he noted. The chief stated in the report, "The fire department has a capital investment of approximately ($2.5 million) which includes vehicles, equipment, building and contents which must be maintained to ensure costs are minimized, and to ensure equipment operates as intended in emergency situations." The committee voted to table the item, despite a new firefighter being approved in the 2008 budget. "I can't support this... 35 volunteers works extremely well," said Mayor Bob Shepherd. "The extra duties can be spread around. Add to the volunteers before adding a full-time (staff member)." The new firefighter would start at about $38,000 in salary, close to the same annual amount as paying extra hours to existing staff, noted the chief. The new firefighter would also respond to fire calls on top of maintenance duties. "(I'm) trying to provide the best service... I don't want to burn out anyone," said Chief Richardson. "I just want to be able to have staff ready and not overworked." Regional Councillor Howie Herrema, chairman of emergency services, blasted his council counterparts for not immediately approving the request. "I'm completely blown away this went through budget and now is coming back... our fire prevention officer is getting pulled away from duties too often to (perform) these utility jobs," said Coun. Herrema. The fire chief noted if approved, the position will be offered to existing staff before it is opened to the community.