THUNDER BAY — City administration is recommending Thunder Bay city council vote to adopt the new master plan that would implement significant changes for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.
The plan, prepared by consultants, was first made public in December.
It drew immediate criticism from the Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association, which said it could result in the closure of two or more fire halls, a reduced response time, and service cuts in some parts of the city.
However, an administration report prepared for council's meeting next Monday says the report's recommendations support "continued operational and organizational improvement."
Administration proposes to work on short-term recommendations before tackling longer-term changes proposed by the consultants.
One of the immediate staffing recommendations relates to the number of personnel assigned to pumper/rescue trucks.
The fifth crew member currently assigned to each of the two pumper/rescue units would be utilized as floaters to help offset overtime costs.
According to city staff, by reassigning duties the city would save about $400,000 a year.
Administration is reviewing this proposal in the context of current contract language.
Staff say that "much more work and consultation" is required before a decision can be made with regard to restructuring the eight fire halls.
The consultants said decommissioning the aging Vickers Street headquarters building and replacing it with a smaller fire hall nearby should happen within four to six years.
More than three months after the release of the consultants' study, city hall remains silent on the status of John Hay.
His name still appears on the city website under Message from the Fire Chief, however it is absent from a list of the fire department's administrative personnel.
City Manager Norm Gale has publicly stated only that Hay is "out of the office."
Members of city council have told reporters they have been given no explanation.
