Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - Fire services and winter operations were front and centre at the council meeting on January 12, as councillors considered a series of staff reports addressing firefighter safety, emergency response activity, and a major capital purchase for public works.
Council first turned its attention to a staff report regarding a Fire Protection Grant Agreement, presented by Treasurer Johnny Pereira. The Township was successful in securing $19,626 through the Ontario Fire Protection Grant, administered by the Ontario Fire Marshal, funding that will be directed toward cancer prevention initiatives for volunteer firefighters.
Johnny Pereira explained that the funding aligns with the municipality’s ongoing efforts to secure external support for essential municipal services while easing pressure on the local tax base. He said the grant will allow for the accelerated purchase of second sets of bunker gear for volunteer firefighters, along with required NFPA-compliant inspections, cleaning, and maintenance.
“Through this grant, the township is able to advance significant portion of that program into 2026 allowing for the purchase of four additional sets this year, in addition to the two sets already included in the 2026 budget,” he said.
Because the four additional sets were not included in the approved budget, a budget amendment was required, though Pereira emphasized that the full cost would be covered by the grant. He added that the accelerated timeline would provide “immediate health and safety benefits for the firefighters, while reducing the financial impact to the 2028 and 2029 budgets.”
Mayor Susan Clarke remarked on the timing of the funding, noting that January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. Council subsequently approved the required by-law authorizing the execution of the transfer payment agreement, the budget amendment, and the delegation of signing authority to the Treasurer.
The meeting then moved to the Adelaide Metcalfe Fire Department’s fourth-quarter update, presented by Fire Chief Dan Parker. Parker described the final quarter of 2025 as an active period, with winter weather contributing to an increase in emergency calls.
“Our seasonal snow and ice storms resulted in increased motor vehicle collisions, contributing to 32 responses in our fourth quarter,” Parker told council. He added that the department also provided mutual aid to neighbouring fire departments on six occasions, primarily related to water transport for fire suppression.
Of the 32 responses, Parker said the department attended 13 motor vehicle collisions, responded to medical calls including one incident involving CPR, and handled vehicle fires, a downed power line, and multiple vehicle extrications. Beyond emergency response, the report also highlighted training initiatives, public education, and community involvement.
In October, the department hosted the Blue Water Hawks U9 Girls hockey team for a station tour and fire prevention presentation.
Training throughout the quarter included forcible entry, auto extrication, hose advancement, and rapid intervention techniques. “Something we practice and hope we never need,” Parker said when describing rapid intervention team training.
Parker also spoke about the department’s new tanker, which arrived on December 22. “Tanker five reflects its status as the fifth tanker in the history of the Adelaide Metcalfe Fire Department,” he said, noting that firefighters with professional truck-driving backgrounds helped ensure a smooth transition into service.
Councillor Garett Kingma asked whether any modifications were planned for the new vehicle. Parker responded that additional lighting had been installed for highway safety and that a water level gauge would be added. Mayor Clarke described the tanker as “a beautiful truck” and commented on the visibility of the new lighting.
Council voted to receive the fire department’s fourth-quarter report.
The final staff report considered was a recommendation to purchase a new single-axle snowplow, presented by Public Works Manager Coulter Cahill. Cahill explained that the decision followed earlier discussions about replacing a tandem plow with a more manoeuvrable single-axle unit.
“The selected unit is a 2027 Freightliner 114 SD Plus,” Cahill said, adding that it would be equipped with Viking-Cives snowplow and winter maintenance equipment. The purchase was made through the Canadian Public Sector Purchasing Cooperative, in consultation with Middlesex County Procurement Services.
Cahill reported that while $424,320 had been forecast in the 2026 budget, the purchase price came in at $347,177 plus HST, resulting in an estimated savings of $71,033. Councillors approved the purchase and authorized staff to execute the necessary agreements.
