Consultation aims to rebuild relationships
Summary report from community discussion will be ready in April
For almost a year, there has been a rift in the community between the Sable River Fire Department and concerned residents, but efforts are now underway to bring everyone together.
Over the past year the Municipality of Shelburne has heard presentations by the Sable
River Fire Department and the Sable River Concerned Citizens Group, with concerns focused around issues such as equipment, finances, bylaws and governance of the fire department.
The public has now been given another opportunity to share their input and concerns. There was a full house for a community consultation and public meeting on March 4 at the Sable River Community Center to discuss the fire department.
Hosted by the Municipality of Shelburne and facilitated by Max Chauvin, Chauvin Resource Development Group, about 80 people took part in the meeting, which included group discussions on four key questions, as well as an information session on the roles and responsibilities of the municipality in the delivery of fire services to the community.
The consultation process also consists of a survey, which is available to fill out until 4:30 p.m. on March 12. The survey can be found on the Municipality of Shelburne's website.
“We believe we achieved the purpose of the meeting, which was to hear from the community,” Warden Penny Smith said following the meeting. “One of our objectives was to ensure that every voice could be heard, which is why we selected the World Café style of meeting. Based on the comments received from participants, we feel the meeting was well received and appreciated.
"We hope residents will take the time to fill out the survey, including those who were unable to attend the meeting, so their input can be captured as well," she added.
During the meeting, participants formed seven discussion groups, with four questions up for discussion:
• How satisfied are you with the provision of fire and emergency response services provided by the Sable River Volunteer Fire Department? This question was strictly related to the fire and emergency response provided by the fire department, not its governance or management.
• Considering the next five years do you have any recommendations for council and staff to consider around the provision of fire services in Sable River?
• Do you have any recommendations that you would like the board of directors of the Sable River Volunteer Fire Department to consider moving forward?
• Do you have any recommendations that you would like the Sable River Concerned Citizen’s Group to consider moving forward?
When reviewing the group discussions, common themes emerged.
Overall, the majority of people expressed satisfaction with the fire and emergency services provided by the Sable River Fire Department, but they thought more training would be beneficial. They also questioned if the department has enough volunteers and expressed concern with the condition of equipment.
More funding for fire services, equipment and training, conducting a fire services study, and investigating amalgamation of fire services – with satellite departments in various areas to reduce assets and save money so there is a more manageable cost to residents – were among the recommendations for municipal council to consider over the next five years.
It was also pointed out that medical first responders are required for the area, and that the Sable River Volunteer Fire Department doesn’t receive any compensation for motor vehicle accident calls on Highway 103. The suggestion was there could be more support from the province in that regard.
Other recommendations for the board of directors of the Sable River Volunteer Fire Department included:
• More fundraising.
• A new set of bylaws with community input.
• A different structure and improved communication between the fire department and the community.
• More community representation on the board of directors.
• Financial and administrative transparency and better internal communication.
• Engaging the community sooner than later on big purchases.
Feedback for the Sable River Concerned Citizen’s Group to consider moving forward varied from doing a good job, to questions of where the group came from and what is their mandate. It was also recommended the group be more respectful to the fire department and the board of directors and have a willingness to work with the fire department; the hope being that the meeting will settle things, and that the two groups should meet together in a professional manner to move things forward.
“Council understands the need for the community and fire department to support each other in order to provide fire services for the residents it serves,” said Smith, adding it is the municipality’s hope the meeting “will begin to rebuild the relationships that are such a part of the social fabric of this community.”
Once the summary report from the consultation process is received, Smith said council will review the information and see if there’s a future role for the municipality to play to help the community come together.
“The fire department needs the community and the community needs the fire department,” she said.
The Sable River Fire Department serves the communities of Sable River, Granite Village, West Middle Sable, East Sable River, Little Port L’Herbert and Port L’Herbert.