LAURIE WEIR

Can a new fire service agreement for automatic aid be reignited between neighbours?

Smiths Falls Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough is hoping to negotiate a new fire services agreement with the Township of Rideau Lakes after the township announced it would end its $82,000 annual contract in December this year for automatic aid.

The decision to cancel the agreement followed the opening of Rideau Lakes’ new fire station on Otter Lake Road, which provides closer coverage for areas mutually served by Smiths Falls. While the mutual aid agreement will remain in place, the automatic aid contract—which ensured Smiths Falls responded automatically to emergencies in South Elmsley Ward—will not be renewed. Unlike mutual aid, where assistance is requested on a case-by-case basis, automatic aid ensures immediate response based on predetermined coverage areas. This system has been in place for nearly 20 years.

Even though the town received 12 months’ notice of termination, Chesebrough told Smiths Falls council on Monday, March 23, that he remains hopeful an alternative agreement can be reached.

Mayor Shawn Pankow expressed openness to a modified arrangement. “Just recognizing the merits of having the closest fire service respond to calls, when you think of Rideau Lakes, it’s on our borders,” Pankow said.

Smiths Falls Fire Department responded to 73 calls in Rideau Lakes in 2018. That number dropped to 67 in 2019 and has averaged 50 calls annually over the next four years. In 2024, there were 58 calls. He spoke of a recent life-threatening situation where a person in Rideau Lakes was helped by the Smiths Falls Fire Department — who was there first — after a call for help. It could have ended tragically if not for the automatic aid of the SFFD.

Chesebrough stressed that Rideau Lakes residents near the Smiths Falls border should continue to receive timely service. He said a modified automatic aid agreement could be beneficial, ensuring that fire crews respond based on proximity. “We can’t just go out there without an agreement or without the endorsement of council,” he noted.

The fire chief also said during a meeting last December that they’re looking to replace its 31-year-old tanker truck at a cost of $800,000 which has been flagged as a liability by fire underwriters. The truck was originally purchased in a cost-sharing agreement with Rideau Lakes, with both municipalities contributing $38,000.

“The cost of our operation there doesn’t even come close to $81,000 for the year,” Chesebrough said at that December meeting. He noted that Rideau Lakes has been “compensated very well” for wear and tear on equipment and staffing costs.

Chesebrough said his department remains committed to exploring a new agreement that serves both municipalities effectively.

When contacted by Hometown News, Rideau Lakes chief administrative officer Shellee Fournier said this was something that would need to be considered by council. “As always, staff would take this type of proposal forward to council for their consideration,” she said.

Rideau Lakes fire Chief Gene Richardson said he hasn’t spoken with Chesebrough about this yet and can’t say what is on the table as far as a new agreement is concerned. “We still have our mutual aid,” Richardson told this publication on Tuesday morning, regarding coverage of the South Elmsley Ward. “And that doesn’t cost anything.”

As far as the expiring automatic aid agreement, Richardson said that would ultimately be council’s decision.