It looks like the Barrhead Fire Department is the latest casualty in a disagreement between the town and the county. In recent weeks, the Leader reported on the growing rift between the Town of Barrhead and the County. This rift has lead to the town to ask the province to begin amalgamation proceedings.
It looks like the Barrhead Fire Department is the latest casualty in a disagreement between the town and the county.
In recent weeks, the Leader reported on the growing rift between the Town of Barrhead and the County. This rift has lead to the town to ask the province to begin amalgamation proceedings.
It also looks like the poor relationship between the two governments could cost the Barrhead Fire Department an important piece of equipment. In the Sept. 22 edition the Leader first told readers about a special jet boat the Grizzly Trail Association wished to donate to the fire department.
However, a week later, in the Sept. 30 issue, the Leader reported that the Town of Barrhead and the Barrhead County members of the Fire Services Committee disagreed whether the committee should accept the association's generous donation.
The Grizzly Trail Association is a non-profit association run by Barrhead firefighters, whose mandate is to support the Barrhead Fire Department by buying equipment or subsidizing training courses the municipality and County could not normally afford.
The association chose a jet boat because the fire department often receives calls they cannot respond to because are not properly equipped.
Unfortunately, for the fire department a split between the members of the Fire Services Committee members might mean the association's $45,000 donation may go elsewhere.
While town representatives were ready to receive the association's donation with open arms, the county's response was a little more reserved.
The county is concerned that they will be saddled with an unfair portion of the operating costs for the boat.
Taking a quick look at the fire statistics for 2012 the number of responses inside and outside the town boundaries are close to even at 62 and 67 respectively, but if you break the numbers down a little further, you can understand why the county may be concerned.
In 2012, the number of man hours spent on calls inside the county boundaries (1,101) are close to triple that of the ones inside the town boundaries (359).
With most of the waterways being located outside the Town of Barrhead's boundaries, the county, is concerned it would be responsible for the majority of the extra cost associated with the boat's operation.
Yet that does not mean the jet boat is not a worthwhile investment for both the county and town, especially considering they are not the ones making the original capital investment.
Both levels of governments should be grateful the fire department has such a dedicated group of firefighters who have worked tirelessly to provide this and other much needed equipment. Not every community or fire department is as fortunate.
The Grizzly Trail Association has given the fire department and Barrhead area residents a gift. For the benefit of area residents it is time for the county and the town to find a way to accept it.
