Contrasting decisions

Re: Councils approve dual Port Colborne-Wainfleet fire chief role, March 20

Port Colborne firefighters are troubled by the approval of a dual fire chief role.

I think it’s important to understand the role of a labour union is to represent the collective interests of its workers.

Municipal politicians on the other hand have a fiduciary responsibility to make decisions about municipal financing and services that are in the best interest of taxpayers.

Council wanted to move forward with an exploratory committee to investigate a services arrangement to share a fire chief between the two municipalities.

One only has to look at the Lincoln and Grimsby pilot project to provide shared fire protection to see the benefits of amalgamation. The pilot was deemed a success and has received recognition.

Dr. Marvin Ryder, who was the transition head for the City of Hamilton merger, noted they were able to address many inefficiencies. Ryder identified fire services as an area where many efficiencies were found because of the consolidation.

Niagara currently has 11 fire chiefs whereas the City of Hamilton has one fire chief.

In this circumstance, although the union raised concerns about this appearing to be more than a stopgap measure and about the diversity of the two communities, most members on both municipal councils decided the city owes its residents a responsibility to at least investigate alternatives and did not want to shut the door on options and to keep an open mind.

This is a stark contrast to what occurred with Niagara Falls. That city council heard a recommendation from its CAO to amalgamate the Niagara Falls fire dispatch service with the City of St. Catharines service.

The CAO estimated sustained annual savings to taxpayers of approximately $240,000.

The firefighters were not in favour, and showed up at city council to show their support against this motion, as it would have a direct impact on their members. It should be no surprise that Niagara Falls city council voted unanimously against the motion.

Governance reform is needed in Niagara to reduce the duplication of service and its associated costs.

Allen McKay, St. Catharines