CBRM to fix relationship with fire chiefs: Clarke
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is now looking to repair a communication breakdown with local fire chiefs. Mayor Cecil Clarke expects to call a special meeting of council after members of the area’s Fire Chiefs Association felt their opinions were being stifled.
Clarke said he was unaware that last Wednesday’s meeting between the association and CBRM’s chief administrative officer, Marie Walsh, would include departmental managers and legal counsel.
“That’s part of a dialogue and discussion I will have with the chief administrative officer as to the rationale for the meeting format being the way it was,” said Clarke. “I was aware that the meeting was intended to be much more informal.
“Any concerns with regards to confidence in the service is a very serious matter and not one taken lightly.”
At the request of its members, the association was offered input into talks surrounding CBRM’s volunteer departments. During last week’s meeting, however, sources say a municipal staff member began discussing legal action related to defamation of character if complaints over the consultation process continued.
Fire Chiefs Association chair George Muise confirmed that a comment was made but noted that an agreement was later was reached with Walsh regarding consultation on a go-forward basis. He said a complaint made to the mayor’s office concerned the CBRM’s processes, not problems with a specific individual.
“We can only wait and see what this communication plan looks like and what the future looks like and see if the association has the ability to bring issues forward and have them dealt with,” said Muise.
“We know we’re not always going to get specifically what is asked for but it’s the opportunity to have input into some of the decisions that the group is looking for when it comes to the volunteer service.”
A majority of association members who were present at a March 15 meeting at the Grand Lake Road fire hall approved a motion of non-confidence in CBRM director of fire services, Bernie MacKinnon, and his administration.
The group of mostly volunteers later sent a letter to Clarke noting it has provided
millions in free services to the municipality and has a right to be involved in service planning.
“We understand that some members are not happy and some are,” said Muise. “The main issue is when you have a significant number that aren’t happy, then that’s a problem in itself.”
Chief of the Reserve Mines Fire Department, Jeff Aucoin, said Wednesday that area firefighters are committed to serving and protecting residents and remain hopeful for an improved rapport with the municipality.
“Though the lines of communication with management have been closed, we
look forward, through the Cape Breton Regional Fire Chiefs Association, to forging stronger relations within CBRM,” Aucoin said.
Clarke said he is now awaiting a bulletin from CAO Walsh before issuing a summons of council.