Belleville is giving its by-law governing fire services in the city a refresh.
Council voted to amend and approve a new, updated draft operations by-law at its meeting Monday night that outlines new measures needed to comply with the city’s Fire Master Plan to protect lives and property.
Fire Chief Dan Smith stated in a report to council the changes were needed to update the last bylaw regulating operations set in 2011.
Discussion around the council horseshoe touched upon numbers of firefighters needed to ensure prompt and effective firefighter response to calls for service both for structural fires, hazardous material calls as well as ice-water rescues.
Coun. Paul Carr requested an amendment to have the Belleville Fire and Emergency Services set a target number of volunteer firefighters at 45 as a reasonable complement so council can better account for budgeting.
The amendment passed on a 6-3 recorded vote after brief discussion, with Couns. Barbara Enright-Miller, Garnet Thompson, and Mayor Neil Ellis voting against it.
The motion was then passed as amended.
