In compliance with provincial regulations, the Town of Perth contracted The Loomex Group to complete a review of current fire services to present a new Fire Master Plan to council. Their consultant Terry Gervais provided the plan to council with several recommendations. One was to create formal automatic mutual aid agreements with Drummond North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Service. This is common among smaller municipalities and Perth would benefit from structure fire support as well as tanker use and ice and water rescue. Perth Fire Chief Trevor Choffe reported that training was a major concern causing volunteers to take time off work and travel for required courses and updates. Mayor John Fenik stated the report should be circulated with Drummond North Elmsley and Tay Valley councils before any discussions on mutual aid agreements begin.

Article by Brian Turner