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... -mm: . bowmanville library 62 Temperance St. . 1 04 Bowmanville, Ont. L1C 3A8 Volume 67, Number 3 GST Included Wednesday January 22, 2003 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono, Starkville end Tyrone since 1937 By Anita DeVries Clarington Fire Department lias implemented a new protocol protocol for Volunteer fire stations. Every call to a volunteer department is now backed up by two other stations, a fulltime fulltime station and nearest other station, whether it be full or part-time. Sheila Schweizer, manager of human resources said, "We are concerned about two hatters resigning and have taken diligent diligent steps to address the situation situation including implementing new protocols." "The fire department considers life invaluable; safety for the residents as well as for the firefighters firefighters is number one for us," said Mike Creighton, Director of Emergency Services. . . As of Dec. 31, the Qrono Fire Department lost five of their most experienced firefighters firefighters because their firefighters' firefighters' union would not let them continue working as part-time firefighters while they serve as full-time firefighters elsewhere. - 1- Creighton had asked the : union for an extension to allow : the full time firefighters to stay on till tiie end of January, but "we weren't successful in our request," explained Creighton. The Region has been working working hard over the past year to try to train enough volunteer firefighters but ran into a lot of snags along the way. "We try to get shift workers, that way you always have someone, day and night," said Creighton, "But it's harder to get people in Orono and Enniskillen." The new recruits must be interviewed, fitness tested at York University, and trained in everything from first aid to bunker training and professional professional conduct. Since most volunteers volunteers work at full time jobs, training is on nights and weekends. weekends. Training a firetruck driver takes longer, The fire department department would like firefighters, to be onihe job for a year before they start driving the truck. "You need training, not just your DZ license*" said Gord Weir, Divisional Chief in Charge of Suppression and Training. Drivers take on a lot of added responsibility. They are responsible for $350,000 worth of equipment, and are driving in emergency Situations often With increased speed. "Evert some full-time guys will tell you they don't like driving, because of the extra liability," said Weir. Currently Orono has five volunteer firefighters who are able to drive the fire trucks. Seven more firefighters are presently being trained. According to Gord Weir, "Five are just about ready, they should be ready within the week." "The new protocols will stay in place until the new • recruits are able to adequately respond," said Creighton. There will always be firemen firemen able to make emergency calls in Clarington. "We are very well equipped for rural firefighting," said Creighton. Playgrounds safe Clarington residents need not worry that our public playgrounds playgrounds contain high levels of arsenic. Reports published by national news outlets last week stated that dangerously high arsenic levels have been found in soil at more than half the playgrounds in seven Canadian cities which have play structures made from pressure treated wood. Of the 47 playgrounds in Clarington, only 10 or 11 have structures containing some pressure treated lumber, and that in the form of platforms, "® !i .._L w p m\\ : "Hi 1 • : III j: ANITA DEVRIES PHOTO Six year-old Christopher Austin enjoys a sub sandwich at Subway in Newcastle this past Sunday when the 1st Kendal Beavers were invited for lunch and a tour by owner Daniel Nammour. according to Clarington's Director of Operations, Fred Horvath. The municipality had been replacing playground equipment equipment over the past few years, to meet new provincial standards. standards. According to the report released last week by Environmental Defence Canada, the arsenic used in the pressure treating process can leach into the soil which can then be ingested by kids playing in the playground sand. As of last Friday all but one of the current members of council have declared their intention to seek re-election in their current positions. Wards Three and Four regional councillor councillor Charlie Trim stated in a telephone interview with the Times on Monday afternoon that he felt he should sign up right away to,let people know He; ; ivyhs interested; in being relccted. "Two years ago 1 retired from my full-time position to devote my full attention to being a Regional Councillor," stated Trim. "1 want to be part of the decision making." "I think we've made some good strides at the municipal and regional levels," said Trim citing the expanded Blue Box Recyling Program including the curbside collection collection of kitchen waste the Region of Durham hopes to roll out in Clarington. next month. - ; .Local councillor . Gord Robinson officially declared his intention to seek re-election re-election on January 10th. "I haven't done anything 1 enjoy as much as representing the residents of Ward four, stated Robinson in a phone interview Monday evening. "Being proactive, proactive, 1 can see things happening happening in Ward Four." Robinson named the purchase of land on Ruddel Road Newcastle for a park as a positive positive impact to his Ward, as well as his commitment to a public transit bus loop to Orono. Robinson said the Veltri subdivision of 39 new homes woiild be a bonus for Newtonville and would help extend the GO bus service to that community. Local Councillors Pat Contlnutd psgt 4