Around-the-clock full tiered response by Owen Sound’s firefighters will become a thing of the past.
City council agreed during budget deliberations on Thursday to alter the response model — which currently sees firefighters responding to all medical emergency calls.
They will now respond only when a person has a serious issue — such as not breathing, choking, unconscious, in cardiac arrest or in a motor vehicle collision.
They may also respond if requested by EMS, when EMS may be delayed, when there are no ambulances in the city and when there are incidents involving hazardous materials.
Full tiered responses will still be in effect between Midnight and 6 AM.
The matter first came before council last June, at which time the decision was made to continue the status quo.
The Owen Sound Professional Firefighters Association has said eliminating full tiered response would jeopardize public safety.
Mayor Deb Haswell and Councillor David Adair — the Chair of the city’s ad hoc fire services committee — both say they don’t believe safety will be compromised.
They say even local paramedics agree that full tiered response by firefighters is unnecessary.
President Dave Cruickshank was in attendance during council’s debate on Thursday — but declined to comment.
Council also gave the go-ahead to proceed with the purchase of a mini-pumper truck, which Adair says will save money and result in less wear and tear on the fire department’s larger vehicles.
The department’s dive team will also be eliminated, resulting in 35 thousand dollars in savings this year.
The team costs 15 thousand dollars to operate each year — plus council had been requested to approve 20 thousand worth of new equipment for the team.
Adair says since the team basically only conducts recoveries instead of rescues — a task that can also be handled by the OPP — it’s not worth the expense.
