The Inter-Township Fire Department Board of Management is planning on discussing its 2023 budget this week, which includes a proposed nearly $484,000 budget.
On Feb. 21, the board will be meeting and discussing a report in Georgian Bluffs seeking to approve the annual budget, receive a 10-year capital plan, and refer the budget to both ownership municipalities.
The budget breaks down various costs going towards administration, cost of living increases, communications, the fire hall, and supplying for the fleet.
The proposed budget would help cover the three per cent cost of living adjustment, purchasing cell phones, computer equipment, and iPads.
Additionally the budget also takes into consideration how the current collective agreement for volunteer firefighters will expire this June.
“Effective July 1, 2022, the Solicitor General mandated a standardized approach to firefighter training to protect the safety of the firefighter and promote public safety within the local needs and service levels of Ontario municipalities,” says the report.
The report adds this mandatory minimum certification standard must be provided by the Fire Marshal or through an alternate accreditation process.
By July 1, 2026, all firefighters will need to be certified in fire protection services for internal and external firefighting. By the same time in 2028, all firefighters will need to be certified in any specialized rescues including on ice and water.
“As a result, we need to increase the training budget to accommodate the specialized training requirements necessary for our servicing area,” says the report.
Over the next 10 years, the fire department is looking to spend $1.6 million on various pieces of equipment including bunker gear, helmets, and airpacks, as well as building upgrades.
The board will be meeting on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.