The Paisley Fire Department serves the areas of Saugeen Shores that are closer to Paisley than to Port Elgin or Southampton and has for over 30 years.
The town’s decision to no longer have a stake in the fire department will not change fire protection service to residents in the affected area.
Saugeen Shores will now purchase fire services from Paisley rather than be a part owner of it.
The cost to Saugeen Shores of using the Paisley Fire Department in the past has averaged just over five thousand dollars per year.
Staff estimate future costs would be still around that amount.
Saugeen Shores Acting Fire Chief Phil Eagleson says what is happening is basically just an administrative change.
He says the town is going from being a part owner to a purchaser.
Eagleson says the new service agreement will ensure the closest fire hall can still respond to fire calls whenever needed.
Eagleson is also urging talks with Arran-Elderslie about having the Saugeen Shores Fire Department respond to areas of that municipality that are closer to Port Elgin and Southampton than to Tara.
Vice Deputy Mayor Doug Gowanlock says having the closest fire hall respond keeps insurance rates lower for residents.
He says other areas along Saugeen Shores boundaries should also be looked at for possible changes to which fire department provides services.
Those areas include the Saugeen First Nation, the boundary with Kincardine, and the area around MacGregor Point Provincial Park.
