OLIVER PAIPOONGE — Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services met with the public Monday evening for a discussion on the tentative closure of several fire stations.
Consultants are recommending reducing the number of fire halls in the municipality from six to four and building a new station at the municipal office on Highway 130 to replace the existing Rosslyn firehall.
“The report we put out on fire station locations which is really building upon the 2023 master fire plan, was conducted when there were three options presented in the master fire plan and this process is really just a further analysis of those three options,” said consultant and former Thunder Bay fire chief Greg Hankkio.
The report issued recommends option #2 from the 2023 review as the best path forward, a 2025 review says council will have the opportunity to review and approve each phase of the recommendation, including any related municipal expenditures.
The current report states that council will establish a cost-effective fire service plan for at least the next ten years, to address both current and future risks related to fire protection services.
“There's really minimal impact from a response standpoint for areas that may be impacted by a station closure and or amalgamation of stations,” said Community Emergency Management Coordinator & Fire Chief Sean Horran.
Lucy Kloosterhuis, the mayor of Oliver Paipoonge said community members of Oliver Paipoonge are worried about the fire station closures and wonder how it will effect them.
"My personal opinion is that some people are not going to be happy, obviously," said Kloosterhuis. “I don't have any total decision yet. I want to hear what's all out there and have a good discussion with the fire department, our fire chief and counsel,”
Ultimately the decision regarding the rural fire station closures will be held off, the final open house about the proposal is scheduled for May 15 at the Murillo Community Hall.
“I'm sure counsel in their wisdom will take this information away, public opinion, comments, and through consultation with the chief they will ultimately decide where this report goes and if there is any outcome from the report,” said Hakkio
- with files from Gary Rinne
