Leeds and the Thousand Islands ends fire agreement with Front of Yonge

LANSDOWNE — The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI) is terminating a 23-year-old fire-protection agreement with the Township of Front of Yonge, citing overlapping service, limited benefits, and rising costs.

At its June 16 meeting, council unanimously approved a staff recommendation to provide six months’ written notice to end the agreement, which was originally signed in 2001 and most recently cost the township $38,639.25.

Fire Chief Mike Prior said TLTI firefighters were already responding to all the same calls as Front of Yonge, despite the original agreement outlining a split in responsibilities.

“We’re responding to all the same calls they’re responding to,” Prior told council. “I’ve asked for that to happen, just for our own due diligence, to make sure our residents are being well taken care of.”

Under the existing deal, Front of Yonge was to respond to minor incidents like alarms and medical assists in Ward 3, while TLTI covered larger emergencies. However, both departments were regularly attending all incidents, with TLTI often arriving just minutes after Front of Yonge.

Prior emphasized the township is exploring new ways to enhance local response, including a plan with Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) to place a tanker in the Escott garage.

“It gives us another access point for water,” he explained, noting the potential installation of dry hydrants to tap nearby lakes or streams.

Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke acknowledged the respectful relationship with Front of Yonge over the years but stressed the need for better collaboration and long-term planning.

“One of the concerns we all have as mayors… is that it isn’t always collaborative,” said Smith-Gatcke. “Fire stations are not cheap to build… We need to do better… to share some of the expenses and cover what needs to be covered.”

While the formal agreement will end, the other township can still assist through mutual aid or a future automatic-aid agreement, similar to TLTI’s arrangements with Gananoque, Kingston, Athens, and Rideau Lakes.

Prior assured council and residents TLTI Fire Services would continue responding to all calls in Ward 3.

Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.