As The Nation continues to face challenges in recruiting and retaining firefighters, the municipality has confirmed the renewal of a long-standing agreement with Casselman for fire services, ensuring that certain areas of The Nation are covered by a fire station.
This 14-year agreement will take effect on January 1, 2024, and will remain in force until December 31, 2038. Under the terms of the agreement, the Casselman Fire Department will be responsible for providing essential services such as firefighting, rescue operations, and hazardous materials management in certain parts of The Nation.
The memorandum of understanding and report were presented at The Nation’s council meeting on September 23, and comes at a time when The Nation’s fire department is grappling with ongoing shortages of personnel and equipment, which ultimately led to the closure of the Fournier fire station on Sept. 1.
The closure, recommended in The Nation’s 2022 Fire Services Master Plan, was justified by a lack of volunteers, budget constraints, and equipment needs. Moreover, the Fournier station received few calls, and its coverage area significantly overlapped with those of the St-Isidore and St-Bernardin stations, making it difficult to justify the costs of keeping it operational.
Under the new terms of the agreement, The Nation will pay Casselman $559.86 per hour for firefighting operations. This new arrangement marks a shift from a fixed annual fee to a variable rate per intervention, reflecting the increasing financial pressures both municipalities face due to rising operational costs.
The Nation’s fire service has recently come under public scrutiny, raising concerns about its operational capacity. In response, The Nation’s mayor, Francis Brière, has requested a report on the state of the fire department, which will be presented to the municipal council on October 21. This report is expected to outline the department’s challenges and suggest possible improvements, although these improvements are likely to come with significant costs.
A fire department in the spotlight
Recently, The Nation dismissed five volunteer firefighters from the St-Albert station, citing new policies requiring mandatory training, certifications, and aptitude tests. The firefighters had requested a seniority clause that would recognize their training based on years of service, but this request was denied. Among those dismissed was Raymond Lavergne, who had been a volunteer at the St-Albert station for over 40 years.
The fire department has also faced criticism in recent months for slow response times and limited operational capacity. Additionally, one of The Nation’s firefighters passed away last month under circumstances that have not yet been disclosed by the municipality.
As The Nation strives to maintain its fire services despite budgetary constraints and public criticism, the renewal of the agreement with Casselman ensures the continuity of fire protection services for the community, although broader issues within the fire department remain under review.
