Wainfleet fire service growing

Wainfleet firefighters responded to 86 emergency incidents in the first half of 2018, a report from the township’s acting fire chief said.

A report before Wainfleet council Tuesday night from Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services Chief Brad Bigrigg said an average of eight volunteer firefighters responded to those calls with an average response time of 10 minutes.

“Most emergency incidents occur between 4 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. (38) which also yields the best volunteer firefighter turnout (10) and the best average response time (9 minutes),” Bigrigg said in his report.

He said during the first half of 2018, a total of 762 hours were spent on emergency response.

Wainfleet aldermen will hear the fire service has completed a recruitment program to increase staff to meet demands that saw 11 new volunteers brought on board.

The department also completed the recruitment of a deputy fire chief, with Shawn Schutten appointed in June of this year.

Schutten, Bigrigg said, is preparing fire prevention and public education programs for the fall of 2018 and a renewed focus on home inspections and smoke alarms.

“We had two resignations during the first half of 2018 resulting in the loss of 50 plus years of experience. We appreciate the contributions made by these firefighters and their families,” Bigrigg said in his report.

He said he’s met with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) twice since April and communicated with it on an almost weekly basis in order to ensure the fire service’s legislative compliance.

“Many of the issues of original interest to the OFMEM in 2017 have been cleared. No worker health and safety issues have been raised and no complaints have been filed during the reporting period. I am pleased to report that the fire department has received no orders or direction from the OFMEM or the Ministry of Labour during this reporting period.”

His report said the priorities for the remainder of the year include the recruitment of a permanent fire chief, closing the file regarding fire protection issues with the OFMEM, preparing the public education program for the remainder of the year, completing the purchasing process and receiving a new tanker which will replace the 1990 tanker currently assigned to Station

4.

Wainfleet council meets at 7 p.m. in township hall, 31940 Highway 3, and streams live on the township’s YouTube page.

THE WELLAND TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO In this file photo, a Wainfleet firefighter walks toward a fire truck as water is streamed toward a house fire behind him.