Town council for Central Manitoulin voted to authorize the building of a fire department training tower, with plans to invite Island fire departments to take part in utilizing it for training.
The motion came from a recommendation out of the Roads Committee and reads: “That we recommend to Council to approve that the fire chief move forward with the building of the fire department training tower pending the receipt of an engineered stamped design.”
Following the carrying of that motion, council then authorized the invitation of all members of Manitoulin Island Fire Department teams to train at the new training tower under the supervision of the Central Manitoulin Fire Department fire chief or designate.
“I think that we really have to appreciate our fire department and our fire chief for taking on this initiative and offering it to the rest of the Island as fire training,” said Councillor Derek Stephens. “I do know that they do bring in equipment from off-Island and training in Little Current, but it costs money. So, I think this is a good initiative and hats off to our fire team for coming up with it.”
“In fact, I was in a meeting this afternoon or this morning with the fire chief from Tehkummah,” said Mayor Richard Stephens. “They’re looking forward to it.”