Wednesday 12 May 2010

Muskoka Lakes Firefighters - in the news

Firefighters recognized for dedication, service


MUSKOKA LAKES — The Township of Muskoka Lakes paid special tribute to its volunteer firefighters this month with a service recognition and medal investiture ceremony. The ceremony, held April 15 at Port Carling Community Centre, also saw 42 new volunteer firefighters graduate from the township’s 2008/2009 recruitment training program.


 Video
My video demonstrates their committment:
j3nnyj1ll September 20, 2009 — The Bracebridge Fall Fair featured these young studs. Hauling equipment, tools and a dummy that weighed as much as me! They have guts and deserve glory!

1. Fire chiefs lobby Parliament for more funding

MUSKOKA LAKES — Muskoka Lakes fire chief Jim Sawkins was one of 15 Canadian fire chiefs who lobbied for increased funding for volunteer fire departments in Ottawa last month.
As a member of the government relations committee with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Sawkins went to Ottawa March 21-25 to speak to members of Parliament on a number of issues concerning fire departments across Canada.
...There are 3,500 fire departments across Canada and 108,000 firefighters in those departments. A total of 78 per cent of the 108,000 are volunteers, said Sawkins.
...Of the three emergency services — fire, police and ambulance — police and ambulance are funded federally or provincially.



Apr 14, 2010
MUSKOKA LAKES — Closing a fire hall could be the answer to reducing the Muskoka Lakes fire department’s rising budget. Several Muskoka Lakes councillors suggested looking at the number of fire stations during a recent budget meeting.
Resident Sally Hill Poupee criticized township spending on fire stations at the meeting, calling the $1-million operating budget for the 10 fire halls “excessive.”



 



Yesterday, township firefighters staged a peaceful protest at the municipal office in Port Carling by blocking the building's parking lot with fire trucks. [Chief] Sawkins says his firefighters asked him to remain out of the dispute, so they could talk to the mayor and council yesterday.
 

Muskoka Lakes Firefighters Hold Protest Today-  Muskoka Moose News   

Muskoka Lakes Township firefighters are staging a protest today at the Muskoka Lakes Township offices in Port Carling. ... Firefighters are angry that Township councilor Brian Hare was never reprimanded for an incident that occurred in the past between he and a firefighter. Firefighters are also angry about this year's fire department budget, which was slashed by close to $10,000.

4 comments:

Daryl said...

I dont understand how budgets for important services like fire fighters, police and hospitals can be cut ... and the people behind these services are all heros and should be treated that way.

Jenn Jilks said...

You sensed the irony, too, Daryl!

Cloudia said...

Bravo!!!




Aloha from Spring in Waikiki!


Comfort Spiral

Judy said...

Hi, Jenn - I am going to a couple of businesses in the March Road/Terry Fox area. Since a lot of people walk on their lunch breaks, the geese are familiar with people. Not to mention there is a golf course there, too. I didn't get there yesterday, and I am not sure about today, as my mil is not well.