Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - Council heard updates on local fire department operations and infrastructure funding during its October 6 meeting, where Fire Chief Dan Parker and Treasurer Johnny Pereira presented two key staff reports.
Fire Chief Parker told council that the third quarter of 2025 had been an active one for the department, particularly along township roadways. “This quarter has been quite busy for us on the roads and the highways,” he said. “We have had 10 calls for motor vehicle collisions, two of which were extrication and one was a tractor-trailer rollover on the 402, a few grass fires, and a couple [of] medical assist responses.”
The department also provided mutual aid to the Southwest Middlesex Glencoe Station for a wheat field fire and handled several smoke alarm calls that did not require intervention. Parker’s report highlighted the department’s community engagement and training efforts through the summer months. “In July, we attended Sports Day at Kerwood Park, hosting a fire prevention display and engaging with the children through equipment demonstrations,” he said.
Training focused on new self-contained breathing apparatus units, ladder operations, and tanker water supply drills in preparation for the arrival of a new 2,500-gallon tanker from Fort Garry Fire Trucks, expected by the end of October. August brought one of the department’s major annual fundraisers. “The Adelaide Metcalfe Firefighters Association hosted our annual fish fry on August 23. We had 385 attendees through the door, and it was a great success,” said Parker, who extended thanks to the community and donors for their support.
Council also heard that September presented logistical challenges due to road and railway construction in Kerwood. The quarter also marked the retirement of three firefighters: Jeff Patterson after 25 years of service, Lucas Bork after six, and Jason Figueiredo after three. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these firefighters for their dedicated service and wish them the very best in their new endeavours,” said Parker.
When asked about staffing levels, Councillor Mike Brodie inquired whether the department planned to recruit replacements. Parker replied, “Right now, we are in pretty good shape. Probably in the new year, we will look again at our last time we recruited… we will probably go through them again and have a look in January and maybe recruit some new firefighters.”
Council carried the motion to receive the fire department’s third-quarter report for information.
Treasurer Johnny Pereira then presented the 2026 Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) report, outlining a modest increase in the township’s provincial funding. “In 2026, the Township is seeing an allocation of $178,759, which is an increase over the prior year by $16,251, which is a 10% increase—the maximum increase allowable in 2026,” said Pereira.
He explained that the allocation reflects the municipality’s asset management work and the province’s revised formula for determining annual funding. “A significant contribution to this current replacement value was due to the exercise that was completed by the Township, alongside with the Township’s asset management plan,” he said.
The funding, which supports infrastructure renewal projects such as roads, bridges, and water systems, will be incorporated into the township’s draft 2026 budget. Council received the OCIF report without further questions.
