Residents of Bigwin Island will soon have faster emergency response after the Township of Lake of Bays announced a new rapid response plan that places firefighters directly on the island for the first time.
Speaking during the July 14 council meeting, Fire Chief Jeremy Alldred-Hughes called the initiative a “big win” for both Bigwin Island and Lake of Bays Fire Rescue.
“One of the focuses for Lake of Bays Fire Rescue has been our level of service and filling in gaps where we find them,” Alldred-Hughes told council.
The enhancement comes as Lake of Bays Fire Rescue continues building its own independent fire department, following the township’s decision to end its shared fire service agreement with the Town of Huntsville by 2027.
For decades, the Township’s Official Plan has acknowledged that emergency services on Bigwin Island are limited because of its water-only access. Firefighters have traditionally responded by emergency fire boat from Port Cunnington or travelled to Norway Point before requiring transportation across to the island, creating unavoidable delays.
The new rapid response model aims to eliminate much of that delay by stationing trained firefighters on the island.
Three firefighters have been recruited as part of the initiative. One is already certified, another is completing certification, and a third will begin Lake of Bays Fire Rescue’s fall training program.
Because the recruits both work and live on Bigwin Island, they will be able to respond immediately when emergencies occur.
“They will be our first set of eyes on any calls that we get there, being able to deploy rapid response for medical calls,” Alldred-Hughes said.
Having firefighters already on the island will also allow valuable information to be relayed to responding crews before they arrive, helping the department determine what equipment and personnel are needed for each emergency.
The chief noted the firefighters can also leave the island to assist with larger incidents elsewhere in the municipality when required.
Although Bigwin Island has not experienced a significant number of major fires, its geography presents unique challenges. Many properties are accessible only by water, while seasonal cottages and larger homes are scattered throughout heavily forested areas, increasing the complexity of emergency response.
Council also heard that Lake of Bays Fire Rescue has partnered with humanitarian organization GlobalMedic, which is donating a fire skid valued between $12,000 and $15,000.
The equipment includes a 350-gallon water tank with a mounted pump that can be towed behind the island’s utility vehicle.
“It is a 350-gallon tank with a pump already mounted on it that goes on a trailer behind our cart on Bigwin Island, so that initial responding crews also have an additional 350 gallons of water to start the fight,” Alldred-Hughes said.
The combination of on-island firefighters and new firefighting equipment is expected to significantly improve emergency response capabilities for Bigwin Island residents while addressing one of the township’s longest-standing public safety challenges.
You can find the staff report HERE.
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