Huntsville director of operations and protective services Tarmo Uukkivi and Huntsville/Lake of Bays fire chief Gary Monahan have been making the rounds to get approval in order to proceed with looking at ways of further integrating fire services for both municipalities (Huntsville and Lake of Bays) under one governance model.
“Efficiencies would be realized by both municipalities if the municipalities were to work together to establish one level of service for a single, unified fire service. Oversight and governance of a unified fire service delivering one level of service for both municipalities requires detailed discussions and recommendations for both municipal Councils to consider,” notes a report on the issue compiled by Uukkivi.
Staff will use some of the recommendations and information contained in a Fire Services Master Plan report approved by the last term of council as a reference document. The report makes a significant number of recommendations including amalgamating stations 2 and 3 in Lake of Bays in favour of constructing one station in Dwight, possibly next to the Township office. It also recommends that Baysville Station 4 be replaced and relocated in favour of a new station on lands the municipality owns on Brunel Road.
In Huntsville, the report recommends relocating station 1 on Hanes Road with the possibility of co-locating with other emergency services and creating an “emergency hub.”
For now, staff will focus on a governance model and level of service for both municipalities to consider. Staff is expected to return to general committee in March with recommendations to unify the two departments, including the creation of an oversight board with representation from key stakeholders. “A joint oversight structure involving both municipalities, such as a board, would provide an opportunity to ensure that both Huntsville and Lake of Bays receive equitable service levels as provided for in the Fire Department Administration Services Agreement,” stated Uukkivi in his report. “This approach would then allow Council to consider what level of service is most appropriate, work jointly with Lake of Bays to establish one level of service, and meet the level of service in the most efficient manner possible.”
Uukkivi also noted that implementing programs and recommendations from the Master Plan “should be a strategic approach based on principles of consistency, equity, and efficiency. For example, where programs can be implemented to decrease reliance on increasing full-time staffing.”
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