Future looking brighter for Denbigh Fire Department says Chief

Craig Bakay | Apr 24, 2024

A year ago, the future of the Denbigh Fire Department was looking a little grim. Changing provincial regulations on certification and staffing were a real concern.

However, 2024 is looking a lot better, Fire Chief Casey Cuddy told Addington Highlands Council in his annual report at the regular Council meeting April 6 in Denbigh.

“We have three existing members that are taking the course to get certified,” Cuddy said. “We have one new member who is already certified, and three new recruits taking the recruit course.

“We’re looking good that way now. We’re certainly moving in a more positive direction than we were last year.”

Cuddy’s report was on the 2023 year but it bodes well for what’s in store for the department.

“While 2023 was a quieter year call-wise than 2022, we kept busy with training and community service,” the report said. “We generally weighed our training schedule on what the majority of our calls are so in 2023, we did a fair bit of medical training.

“However, we still covered auto extrication, wild fire SP103, pump operations, driver/marine training, ladders, Naloxone, suppression, decontamination, PPE, hose handling, loss control, ventilation, fire control, fire flow path, portable extinguishers, scene lighting, forceable entry, highway safety, scene set up, health and safety.

“With the mandatory certification requirements coming up, we are working on learning contracts with the Ontario Fire College in hopes to provide a more local certification course.”

August was the busiest month in terms of calls for service with six, followed by May (five), March, April and September (four each).

In 2023, there were 16 calls for medical assist, 11 for motor vehicle collisions, three false alarms, three wildland fires and two vehicle fires. There was but one structure fire, in October.

In all, there were 38 calls in 2023, down from 57 in 2022, 49 in 2020, 43 in 2019 and 36 in 2021.

The Denbigh Fire Department participates in the Mutual Aid Program and works in conjunction with the Kaladar/Barrie Fire Department such as on one large structure fire with a heavy fuel load in 2023.

“As we enter 2024, the Denbigh Fire Department continues to provide an important service for its community,” the report said. “The Department covers the northern section of Addington Highlands and borders with Renfrew County.”

Joint Meeting Agenda

Council had a brainstorming session as to what should be on the agenda for a joint Council meeting with North Frontenac. Among the topics suggested were: the Cloyne waste site, shared road maintenance, the doctor recruitment incentive program and a long-term commitment to work together, sharing economic development incentives, a shared bylaw enforcement system, status of the EORN cell gap system, affordable housing.

“And likely hazardous waste,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Hogg also suggested it might be time to get a little more “pro-active about bylaw enforcement.”

To which Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch responded: “Some years ago, Madawaska went through the community with a fine-tooth comb.

“It wasn’t a pleasant experience.”

Township Reluctant to Extend Insurance to Rec Committee

A request for insurance provision by the Denbigh Recreation Committee for an ATV Poker Run and a Horse Pull met with luke-warm response.

“We circulated this request to our insurance provider and they suggested the organization themselves obtain insurance,” said CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed. “The municipality has arranged for insurance in the past for certain events like fireworks but with fireworks, it is usually Township employees involved (ie firefighters).

“These two activities are completely independent of the municipality.”

However, Reed said their broker had indicated it will follow up with the insurance company but as yet they had no comment.

“As soon as I know something, they (the rec committee) will know something.”

Two AH Businesses win L&A Excellence Awards

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch gave a report on the Lennox & Addington Chamber of Commerce 1th annual Business Excellence Awards held April 11.

“There were seven nominations submitted from Addington Highlands for the 12 awards and we had two winners,” he said.

Rosie’s Café & General Store won in the Customer Service Award — Small Business category and Wayeshkad won the Social Impact award.

Meet the Machine

Council approved the Cloyne Recreation Club’s request for participation in the Meet the Machine event in Cloyne June 1, “subject to the availability of volunteers and equipment.”