News Release
Adams Satisfied Herring Cove Community Adequately Protected
(Friday, March 1/2002)-- Councillor Stephen Adams said today there is no reduction in fire and emergency service protection to residents in the Herring Cove area as a result of a recent change in management at the local fire department.
Councillor Adams said he can appreciate the concern that some residents might have, but he is confident that the service provided 24-hour, seven day a week service by two full-time paid firefighters, in conjunction with the 10 volunteers, will provide appropriate fire and emergency protection for the area in the interim.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services took over direct management of the Herring Cove Fire Department on Tuesday, amid certain allegations against some members. As a result, seven active volunteer members resigned, leaving 10 firefighters. The Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service will be recruiting new volunteers in the near future.
Councillor Adams said " At present, there is an investigation into the allegations within the Department and discussions with regard to the actions taken by the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Service. I have had many conversations with community members, including some volunteer firefighters, and I am trying to get the facts surrounding the entire situation. There are no plans for a community meeting at this time, because this may compromise the investigations. As soon as I get some clarification on the process, action will be taken and I shall advise our residents."
He said " The Herring Cove Fire Service is an integral part of the community, and ties many residents together. In fact, it is safe to say that at one time or another, just about everyone in the community has been positively impacted by its actions."
The Councillor said there is a great deal of emotion surrounding these issues throughout the community of Herring Cove and I am hopeful that when all investigations are completed," that we can take a step back, regroup and move forward together."
Prior to the management change, the community was protected by 17 volunteer firefighters and two full-time paid firefighters, working Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fire calls in the community were routed through the 911 Centre on Oxford Street, then passed along to the Halifax Message Center before being paged out to the Department.
Under the present operation, the community is protected by 10 volunteers and two full-time firefighters, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As well, the Harrietsfield Fire Department and Station 6 in Spryfield are automatically responding to calls within Herring Cove. The fire calls in the community are now directed to the 911 dispatch Centre in Bedford and then sent directly to the Department and it's members.
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Councillor Stephen Adams
District 18 (Spryfield/Herring Cove)
(902) 497-8818
