Grey Highlands council is going to consider implementing a fire department officer on-call program this week.
Council will be received a report at its meeting on June 7 from Fire Chief Marty Wellwood. It recommends approving the program, and authorizing an SUV be added to the fleet management program.
The report says the fire department is proposing implementing this program this month.
The program would see one officer of the department being designated as on-call each weekend. The officer would be responsible and available to respond to calls from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
“This will ensure a properly trained senior officer is available. Summertime responses in particular can be a challenge for a volunteer department, and ensuring proper coverage for both stations can be a concern. Implementing the officer on-call program ensures an officer is available for calls, can make manpower adjustment, and make emergency scene decisions. Between the two stations, there are eight officers available for the program,” says the report.
The officer on-call would receive a flat rate per day on the weekend, with an estimated cost of $4,000 annually. Any additional wage expenses for officers have already been factored into the 2023 budget.
Additionally, should council approve the program, it is recommended the previous 2014 SUV be replaced in 2024, costing about $85,000 annually.
Council will be reviewing this item at its meeting on June 7 at 1 p.m.