Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX - Council approved an updated fire protection agreement with Strathroy-Caradoc during its February 4 meeting, formalizing changes to how fire and emergency services are delivered to parts of the municipality outside local response coverage.
Fire Chief Gary Johnston introduced the report, explaining that the revised agreement replaces the previous three-year renewal cycle with an open-ended arrangement. “We typically renewed this, every three years. The new agreement, it is open ended, so it saves staff time in renegotiating this,” Johnston told council. He noted that provisions allowing either municipality to cancel the agreement remain in place.
Under the agreement, the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc continues to provide fire protection to areas of Southwest Middlesex that fall outside acceptable response times from the Glencoe Fire Station. The service is delivered primarily through the Melbourne Fire Station, with costs shared based on a percentage of operating and capital expenses.
Johnston described the agreement as ensuring continued coverage for residents in those areas and asked council to approve it by by-law. Council discussion focused largely on service continuity and long-term planning.
Councillor Mark McGill referenced past uncertainty around the future of the Melbourne Fire Hall. He recalled that a previous fire master plan in Strathroy-Caradoc had proposed closing the hall and constructing a new facility in Mount Brydges. “We were thinking, where does that leave us? Because Melbourne covers quite a bit of Southwest Middlesex,” McGill said, adding that he was pleased the station will remain open under the current council.
Mayor Allan Mayhew briefly raised the issue of costs associated with the agreement, noting that the annual amount was in the range of tens of thousands of dollars. Johnston responded that he would need to confirm the exact figure with municipal finance staff.
With no further questions, council voted in favour of approving the by-law authorizing the agreement.
