Volunteer firefighters quit en masse in Inwood

Volunteer firefighters have resigned en masse in this small Lambton County community, leaving the local government scrambling to ensure outside departments can battle blazes.

All but two of the 20 firefighters in Inwood resigned this week, citing onerous training requirements and a lack of recognition from the municipality of Brooke-Alvinston. “We all signed on to be volunteers and help the community, but currently there’s no recognition for the training we’ve had,” said Rob Howlett, a former Inwood station chief who was among those who resigned.

“There’s even training this year that hasn’t been recognized as actual training, if you can imagine that.” Attempts to find compromise with the municipality on the training schedule, which Howlett said has doubled since a provincial review called for upgrades in 2016, have proven fruitless, he said. “It’s got to the point where the guys are away from their families so much,” the 25-year station volunteer said, adding firefighters who work regular day jobs have to shoehorn in training on evenings and weekends.

“It’s becoming a burden.” Brooke-Alvinston’s mayor, Don McGugan, said fire service will continue in the municipality thanks to agreements with nearby townships and towns. While the municipality is concerned about public safety, both the mayor and firefighters left the door open to further talks. “We do have to meet these government rules to make sure the municipality is covered from liability issues,” McGugan said. “We do have to work together.”