Originally published on TheTelegram
Provincial partnership would see SJRFD service more parts of Avalon Peninsula
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. —
The St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) might soon provide hazardous materials services beyond its own service area, possibly expanding the service to more areas on the Avalon Peninsula.
According to the meeting agenda for the Regional Fire Services Committee, the provincial government’s Fire Emergency and Corporate Services (FES) has stressed an interest in partnering with SJRFD to provide hazmat services within the Avalon Peninsula, with a final boundary to be negotiated.
Currently, SJRFD has a hazardous materials response team that services its own region.
The Regional Fire Services Committee met Sept. 22 to discuss the idea.
The committee is made up of representatives from four municipalities, including St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s.
A decision note prepared by SJRFD Chief Sherry Colford included in the agenda for the meeting said SJRFD and FES have had preliminary discussions about FES absorbing the cost to keep the SJRFD team trained in hazmat requirements, with costs for any response outside the SJRFD region to be absorbed by the SJRFD.
The note mentions potential cost savings for SJRFD to keep the team trained in hazmat response.
The decision note recommended the committee begin negotiations with the province.
On Thursday, Colford told The Telegram the SJRFD will continue to have high-level discussions with the province on the matter.
