NORTH RENFREW EMERGENCY RESPONSE UNIT

(NRERU)

Management Board Meeting

Thursday 2 April, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. 4:15 p.m.
Town of Laurentian Hills Council Chambers
34465 Highway 17, RR#1, Deep River, ON K0J 1P0
I.

In attendance:
Jim Gibson, Mayor Head, Clara & Maria Township
Kevin Waito, Fire Chief Laurentian Hills
Bruce Boucher, Councillor Laurentian Hills
Doug Tennant, Fire Chief Deep River
Chris Carroll, Treasurer Deep River
Glen Doncaster, Reeve Deep River
Rick McGee, C.A.O. Deep River
Cindy Anaka, Administrative Assistant Laurentian Hills
Chief Tennant called the meeting to order at 1:55 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Introductions were made around the table and the agenda was reviewed and approved.

II.

Review of Existing NRERU Agreement

It was suggested that the agreement be changed to show 10 year increments for funding and not 3
years as in Appendix A to By-Law 05 10, item 6a.
Mayor Gibson stated that he was not clear as to where the 14% ($800.00) that his municipality
pays in funding was going towards.

III.

2012 2014 Financial Report

Mayor Gibson stated he was missing the operating expense report for the year 2014.
It was noted that 2014 was the first year that the wage recovery charge was received. Deep River
only started recovering this cost last year (2014). They havent received anything in the last 30
years.
It was also noted that there has been a large increase in fuel cost in 2014 in comparison to the two
years prior.
Chris Carroll stated that the wage recovery agreement was not to 2014, so this would not be
reflected in the current agreement.
Mayor Gibson questioned what the process would be if the financials continue like climb like in
2014 over the next few years. It was agreed that would be impossible to judge what could happen
in the future.

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2 April, 2015
Points of Discussion:
Chief Waito mentioned that it is legislated that we have a blocker vehicle.
Mayor Gibson mentioned that he would like an accounting system included in the agreement for
Head, Clara & Maria.
Money received from MTO for accidents on Highway 17 is used to offset costs of NRERU.
Council can set the level of standards for the NRERU.
There is no legal requirement for a town to have a Fire Department.
Mayor Gibson questioned if they could opt out from NRERU and Chief Tennant replied that they
could as long as they gave 60 days notice and it would be up to Council to do so. It is Council
who sets the level of service for the Fire Department.
Reeve Doncaster asked if the agreement was working for the three municipalities.
Chief Waito said it was working for the Town of Laurentian Hills
Mayor Gibson didnt give a definite yes or no for Head, Clara and Maria
Reeve Doncaster said the Town of Deep River had a few issues with it. He continued to say that
their community was at risk because they have a limited fire crew. When a call goes out for them
outside their municipality, it leaves Deep River short staffed. As well, they loose a vehicle to the
MTO Emergency which means Deep River residents suffer.
Reeve Doncaster stated that Deep River looses by being part of the NRERU. He doesnt
recommend continuing with the agreement. He continued saying that OFM cannot believe that
Deep River sends 2 of their 9 fire fighters out to any MTO emergency.
HCM opted out in 2011 but still paid their fees of $800.00.
IV.

2014 2017 Funding Formula

Mayor Gibson stated he didnt want to carry on with the $800.00. Their Town cannot afford it.
Chief Waito stated that Laurentian Hills would like to carry on with the regular yearly amount of
2,500.00.
Deep River wants to keep paying their regular amount and they feel it would be best to continue
with the same amount until the end of term (2020).
Councillor Boucher recommended that the three municipalities continue with the same amount,
but would like a meeting once before budget time. The next meeting would be early 2016.

V.

Review of Proposed Revisions to the NRERU Agreement

It was recommended that there be some wording changes as well as definitions added to the
agreement.
The next meeting date change will be in November (Page 2 item 13.) Currently it is February.
Page 2, item 14 month change of February will be also changed to November.

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2 April, 2015
Reeve Doncaster stated that Deep River cannot continue with item 17 on page 3. He would like to
review and discuss it and make changes to it.
Mayor Gibson doesnt like paragraph 18, page 3. He would like different wording. He would like
it to say, When staffing permits, when the unit is required to respond to an MVC in
As well, it is requested that a blocker vehicle be added to this paragraph.
Mayor Gibson stated that he wants two blocker vehicles, not one during MTO emergency.
Line item 19 on page 3 - Each Town is to look into their own municipal insurance to see if their
insurance coverage is correct. Currently it is $2,000.000.00.
On page 4, item 22, change three years to 10 years. End date should be March 11, 2019.
VI.

Equipment
It was requested that the NRERU look into seeing if there are any reserve grants for purchasing
vehicles.
Chief Waito requested that the NRERU get rid of the two breathing apparatus because of the
Bench Testing done on them. Laurentian Hills and Deep River doesnt use them in their
Municipalities.
The board recommended to get rid of the breathing apparatus so that it will save the NRERU on
money.
They also recommended that they get two of each air bag. It will cost $11,000.00 to $14,000.00
for new ones.
The board also recommended that they get one stabilization kit. It will be about $3,000.00.

VII.

Review of Service Request from Rapides des Joachims

It was recommended that Rapides des Joachims look after their own extrication. This was moved
by Councillor Boucher and seconded by Reeve Doncaster. It was unanimously passed.

VIII.

General Discussion
Reeve Doncaster again stated that the NRERU is greatly taxing on Deep River. They do not want
to be in this business anymore.
The question was asked if there were any alternatives. Chief Waito said that the Town of
Laurentian Hills has the ability to look after their own area if they had to.
Mayor Gibson stated that distance is a problem of NRERU especially when the unit resides with
the Town of Laurentian Hills. Mayor Gibson stated that most accidents on Highway 17 are
industrial (logging) incidents and not motor vehicle accidents of their residents. Mayor Gibson
stated he doesnt want to support the Provincial Government.
Reeve Doncaster stated that Deep River will give their vehicle to Laurentian Hills. Head, Clara &
Maria will have to agree to this.

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2 April, 2015
Operating Capital and Reserves. Split it.
Mutual Aid will still be available to help each other out.
Head Clara & Maria is alright with not being part of NRERU because his area of Highway is very
small.
It was discussed that the Province and the OPP be contacted to be made aware of this Boards
decision.
IX.

Next Meeting Date & Location

Both of the Fire Chiefs will get together to re-work the agreement. The agreement will then be
sent to each Towns Council for discussion. Then another meeting will take place in Council
Chambers in the Town of Laurentian Hills with all three municipalities.

X.

Adjournment
This meeting of the North Renfrew Emergency Response Unit do now adjourn
at 4:15 p.m.