It’s rare that we get three wins in one, but that is exactly what happened at Belleville Council this week when it comes to the city’s fire service.
Council voted in favour of a new and updated draft operations bylaw for the Fire Department on Monday.
It included provisions for additional training for their ice/water rescue program, additional money for equipment costs to help firefighters dealing with hazardous material response costs, and an amendment to increase the number of volunteer firefighters in the rural part of Belleville with a new target of 45.
I am very pleased to see that council agreed with Fire Chief Dan Smith’s reasoning and proposal.
It is no secret to anyone that listens to my daily ramblings that I am a huge supporter (and frankly a fan) of our emergency services.
Over the 30 plus years that I have reported the news in Quinte, my greatest concern at times has been a lack of resources for those who keep us, our families and our properties safe and sound.
Conditions for police, firefighters and paramedics have never been more challenging, with a steady increase in calls, more drug events, and hazards they didn’t dream about when our more experienced protectors first put on their uniforms.
When we give them new and better equipment and training, we are saying two things.
To existing personnel, we say “thank you for your service and here is what you need to get the job done safely and effectively”. To possible recruits, we add “we value your life just as much as those you will save.”
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
