Clearview has formalized a relationship with the City of Barrie to ensure that it can provide four kinds of technical rescue services to its citizens.
For years, Barrie Fire Department has provided services for confined space, chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN), hazardous material, trench or low- or high-angle rescues (such as being trapped on a silo) in Clearview.
However, this is the first time a memorandum of understanding has been drafted to articulate the relationship.
While Clearview firefighters are trained in technical rescue services other than the four mentioned above (such as ice water rescue), it is not cost-effective for the municipality to provide the equipment and annual training that is necessary, said Acting Fire Chief Colin Shewell.
“The Clearview Fire Department provides training [for confined space, CBRN, hazardous material, trench, or low/high angle rescues] to an awareness level,” Shewell explained. “We are able to identify the issue and how it needs to be dealt with. But if you’re not constantly on top of the newer techniques and equipment, you can’t keep up.”
“We train to a certain level but specialized rescue items are not in the day-to-day operations. It is a substantial investment for training and vehicles. It wouldn’t be cost-effective for us to invest in that type of service, but we still have to provide it.”
Barrie Fire Department, on the other hand, provides annual training to its firefighters and owns specialized equipment for specific kinds of rescues including devices for removing people from confined spaces and trucks for rescuing individuals from trenches.
The arrangement will cost Clearview $2000 per year, which breaks down into $500 per rescue service.
Individuals who require rescue will incur the cost of the rescue. Shewell said the Township is currently reviewing its Fees By-Law to reflect this. “Specialized rescue if not feasible for the municipality or taxpayers,” said Shewell.
In the agreement, Clearview Fire Department will call Barrie as soon as they arrive on the scene of a rescue that is identified as confined space, CBRN/hazardous material, trench, or low/high angle.
While waiting for the Barrie Fire Department to arrive, Clearview will secure the area and support the rescue. For instance, if a person digging a water line becomes trapped in a trench, the Fire Department will lower oxygen, remove dirt that has been piled and stop traffic so vibrations don’t cause the trench to fall in.
“We do all this so when Barrie Fire Department comes in they can actually go in with their harnesses to get the person out,” said Shewell. “This goes for every technical rescue.”
Clearview prioritizes ice water rescues because of its proximity to the Nottawasaga River, the Minesing Wetlands and the New Lowell Conservation Area, said Shewell. “We would provide support to other Fire Departments for this type of rescue, if called upon.”