The Town of Mount Moriah is the first neighbouring community to enter into an agreement with the City of Corner Brook for secondary fire response services.
Earlier this year, the city clarified the Corner Brook Fire Department’s policy with regard to out-of-jurisdiction responses.
Under the city’s new policy, the department will only respond outside the city if there is a prior service agreement with the requesting jurisdiction, or if there is an immediate threat to life or a consequential threat to the city itself.
At its public meeting on Monday, July 15, city council approved an agreement with Mount Moriah to provide backup services should the town’s volunteer fire department encounter a fire that is beyond their expertise or human resources to handle on their own.
Mayor Jim Parsons said the deal, which outlines rates Mount Moriah must pay should it call on the city’s emergency services, will in no way jeopardize the safety of Corner Brook residents and will not cost the city extra money.
“We are eager to help our neighbours but we have to ensure, first and foremost, the safety of our own residents and we can’t just do it for free,” said Parsons. “I think it makes sense for them and us. They know how much it’s going to cost if they need to call us.”
The agreement will not require the purchase of any additional equipment or hiring of additional personnel.
“The chief in Mount Moriah would let us know what they require or what they’re dealing with and our deputy (chief) would make the decision on what’s the appropriate response,” explained Todd Flynn, the city’s director of protective services.
How much will secondary fire response services cost the Town of Mount Moriah?
- The Town will pay Corner Brook an annual stand-by allocation of 0.5 cents per $100 property assessment value for a total of $2806.85.
- If and when the Corner Brook Fire Department is deployed, Mount Moriah will pay the City of Corner Brook as follows:
• Engine (two firefighters) $250 per hour
• Engine (four firefighters) $350 per hour
• Rescue truck (two firefighters) $200 per hour
• Ladder truck (two firefighters) $355 per hour (subsidized rate);
• Pick-up truck (one fire officer) $120 per hour
Source: City of Corner Brook
