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THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011 Training Officer endorsed A new fire training officer position in Wellington County will reduce municipal liabilities, protect the health and safety of part-time/volunteer firefighters and increase the level of service. Guelph/Eramosa Township Council recently joined the list of Wellington townships to endorse the full-time County Fire and Rescue Training Officer position, first suggested 13 years ago in a County restructuring report. Centre Wellington Fire Chief Brad Patton, who is also the County Fire Coordinator, outlined the "simple, sensible" proposal to make fire services more viable, without raising taxes. Patton said the need for the position is driven by requirements for better training for part-time/volunteer firefighters to meet "onerous" Ministry of Labour and Ontario Fire Marshalls Office requirements, and the need to be in the "same page" in the event of a big emergency. "If we're all receiving the same training... when a municipality is having a real bad day, and a whole bunch of fire departments get together, that call is going to go much smoother if we're all reading on the same page," Patton said, adding part-time/volunteer firefighters now need someone to care for and manage them. Patton said in small volunteer fire departments, they are often lucky if someone volunteers to be the Training Officer, a demanding job that includes writing, delivering, and testing training lesson plans, a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to protect themselves if a firefighter is hurt on the job. THE NEW TANNER 11 "In the Village of Point Edwards, the Fire Chief/ Training Consultant were charged with 11 offences under the Occupation Health and Safety Act in January 30, 2010 when a volunteer firefighter drowned during some ice rescue training," Patton recounted, adding Meaford, as an employer, faces six charges after two firefighters were injured in a 2009 restaurant fire. "The Volunteer Training Officer is one of the hardest jobs in the department with very little time to prepare that (training) stuff and protect the municipality," Patton said, adding the Officer will work with, not replace the existing station training officers. Guelph/Eramosa Chief John Osborne said the new position would help resolve their "serious corporate and personal liability concerns" and make sure that "all bases are covered." He noted that a Mississauga fire truck was involved in a fatal traffic accident last Monday, and the Ministry of Labour began immediately "raiding" the fire department's training records. "So, it is extremely important to get on board with this as a County and try to close that loop, because I think a lot of fire departments are very vulnerable," Osborne said. A new ad hoc committee of the Wellington County Fire Chief's Association will write a job description, and name a selection committee to begin a search for candidates for the position, which will be embedded with the Centre Wellington Fire Department with the annual $150,000 cost covered by the County budget. Township Digest Propane rules change Guelph/Eramosa councillors hope that science, not "paranoia and panic" will determine "hazard distances" in new legislation governing where and how propane depots can operate, changes sparked by a huge propane explosion and fire that killed a Toronto firefighter in 2008. In a recent briefing to Township Council, We l l i n g t o n C o u n t y Emergency Coordinator Linda Dickson said the new rules, which took effect on January 1, require large commercial propane facilities ­ there are two in the Township on Highway 24 ­ to have an engineer complete a risk and safety management plan. Retail outlets with tank exchange centres are already covered by other legislation and staff with the province's Technical Standards and Safety Acton will compile risk plans for small municipalities with risk plans until 2013. When Dickson said the "hazard distance"­ how far from other development a new propane operation could locate ­ Mayor Chris White said he hopes the legislation would not "strip him of his rights" if he owned land beside an existing propane operation. White said he fears the province will over react in a kneejerk reaction and not base the distances on science. Councillor Doug Breen at the Rockwood Eramosa said it "scares" him that Firefighters Association's overkill reforms follow- April 2, Yuk Yuk's coming a tragic event could edy fundraiser will be put small propane sup- used to do good ­ Townpliers out of business by ship Council readily making legislation based agreed to waive its usual on "paranoia and panic, fee for the Association to rather than science." rent the Rockmosa ComFree tax help munity Centre. Act fast if you would In a recent letter asking like to have your tax re- for the fee waiver, Assoturn completed for free. ciation President David Those who qualify ­ sin- Thompson said proceeds gles with incomes under from the annual fund$25,000 and families with raisers in the past have incomes less than $35,000 benefited Camp Bucko, ­ may qualify for the ser- Adopt a Family and many vice. At press time, only other charities. Last year, two spots were available the event, which includes to have a Chartered Ac- a DJ, dancing, silent auccount prepare your return. tion and buffet, has sold Call 519-833-9696 for out. more information. Tickets are available at Fee waived Rockwood Foodland or es_ad2 02/11:Layout 1 2/16/11 1:13 PM Page 1 All of the money raised by calling 519-856-8274. EWCS NEWS News & Events: Only two weeks left to take advantage of EWCS's free beginner computer courses. Throughout the month of March, one-on-one help will be available in Rockwood on Mondays at the EWCS office. Appointments are preferred. If you are interested in learning more about computers ­ Microsoft Office programs like Word and Excel, browsing the web, checking emails, windows, or whatever you are struggling with ­ contact EWCS and make an appointment. 519-8339696. East Wellington Community Services will conduct public forums to share results of the recently completed "Seniors Services and Needs Assessment Report." The public is invited to learn more about the feedback on three major issues: Health and Independence, Housing, and Transportation, as well as other issues. If you cannot attend during these times and would like more information about the Report on the Seniors Survey, contact Rick Eller at EWCS 519-833-9696 x229. The forum will be at Rockmosa Community Centre, 74 Christie Street on Thursday, March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. This project was coordinated by East Wellington Community Services and funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors program. March is Easter Seals Month More kids need your help. Please give generously. Easter Seals helps kids with physical disabilities achieve a greater level of acceptance. NATURALLY FIT An Outdoor Fitness Bootcamp For All Ages And Levels Date: Sunday's Location: Rockwood Naturopathic Clinic Time: 10am Beginner/intermediate , 11am intermediate/advanced, 12pm kids Michael Chong, M.P. Wellington-Halton Hills Here to assist you 1- 866 - 878 - 5556 Chong.m@parl.gc.ca How much is your Real Estate worth? Check out our website for futher details www.rockwoodnd.com $5 drop-in plus incentives for FREE sessions. 16 Mountainview Rd S., Suite 205 Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4K1 (905)702-2597 Georgetown 200 St. Patrick St. E., Suite 5 Fergus, Ontario N1M 1M4 (519) 843-7344 Fergus Rockwood Naturopathic Clinic 4200 25th Side Road www.rockwoodnd.com for directions 519-853-2443