HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-12, Page 1The CitizenVolume 23 No. 15 Thursday, April 12, 2007 $1.25 ($1.18 + 7c GST)Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Inside this week
Pg. 3
Pg. 6
Pg. 8
Pg. 13
Pg. 29
Local woman
honours grandfather
Alliance gets digital
imaging
Blyth Minor Hockey
presents awards
Spring car care
section begins
Blyth Legion makes
presentations
Huron’s emergency medical
services received a pat on the back
at the county council meeting of
April 4.
In 2006 the 90th percentile
response time was 17.22 down from
2004’s figure of 18.42.
The 90th precentile response time
performance standard is referenced
in the Ambulance Act. It was
established in 1996 that the standard
for Huron County is 17.22.
David Lew, manager of
emergency medical services
explained that that response time
was rarely met due to a variety of
reasons, including the increased
yearly call volume that occurred
since the service was downloaded
from the province.
Weather has also been a factor.
“You will notice that the first two
months of 2007 we also saw 20
minutes response times. But we also
had many days when the roads were
closed and that is a factor.”
With the introduction of the non-
emergency transfer policy in April
of 2006, there has been a reduction
in response time below the standard.
Further, Lew said, the response time
has also decreased due to the
movement of vehicles from the four
main bases to posts in Brussels,
Ashfield and Grand Bend.
“This is particularly evident when
you look at July’s response times
increasing due to these bases being
downstaffed as a result of
vacations,” said Lew.
“Our concern remains that as few
as two or three calls exceeding our
90th percentile, or a case of bad
weather, and there can be a major
impact on response times,” said
Lew.
Central Huron councillor Bert
Dykstra, however, felt that the report
was good news. “It’s good to see the
response times come down and I
want to commend the ambulance
services staff. I think you’re doing a
great job.”
County EMS
gets pat on
the back
Man of the hour
Three-year-old beagle Clyde returned home Monday
afternoon to his happy farmily, from left: Ryan Montgomery,
his girlfriend Jessica Rains, Maureen and Brad
Montgomery. The Montgomerys lost their home and their
beloved 14-year-old beagle Cindy to a fire on Sunday
morning. The family had been away when fire broke out
and upon arriving home feared that both of their pets had
perished. However, after battling the blaze for two and a
half hours, Blyth firefighters put a ladder to a bedroom
window, and were met by Clyde. The survivor was taken to
the vet in Goderich where he was treated for smoke
inhalation. While he appeared in relatively good shape in
spite of his harrowing ordeal, there is still a chance he
could contract pneumonia. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
A Hullett Twp. couple lost
everything in an early morning blaze
Easter Sunday.
Brad and Maureen Montgomery
and their son Ryan, 25, were not
home when fire broke out near
midnight at their Hullett-McKillop
Line residence, the former Rice’s
Store. Neighbours had called in the
emergency, said Blyth fire chief Paul
Josling.
When firefighters arrived around
12:30 a.m. at the scene just south-
east of Blyth, “the attic was fully
involved and flames were coming
out of the back.”
Noticing a vehicle parked outside
and not sure whether or not there
were occupants, the firefighters
attempted to fight their way into
the house, said Josling, but the
heat was too much and drove them
back.
The Montgomerys arrived home
at approximately 1:45 a.m., said
Josling.
“We were at a buck and doe in
Saltford,” said Maureen. “We turned
off the first sideroad and saw the
lights. I thought there’d been an
accident, then it looked like
someone’s house was burning. Then
we realized it was ours.”
For the firefighters the couple’s
arrival brought nothing but relief.
“They nearly hugged them to
death,” said Maureen’s mother
Amy McCrea. “They were so glad
to see that they weren’t in that
house.”
Brad, a former Blyth firefighter
added, “I was on the department
for 20 years with some of those
guys.”
The Montgomerys’ first concern
was for their two beagles, Clyde and
Cindy who were in the building.
They were sadly given the news then
that the firefighters had not been
able to save the dogs.
Remarkably, however, after
battling the blaze for two and a half
hours, firefighters climbed up a
ladder to a window and were met by
three-year-old Clyde. The animal
was taken to the vet in Goderich and
was home on Monday.
Cindy, who was 14, perished in
the fire. She was found in the
bedroom.
“Clyde stayed with her,” Maureen
said, as she began to cry.
Losing their pet has been difficult
for the family, said McCrea. “But I
just remind Maureen that it could
have been so much worse. They
have a lot to be thankful about,” said
McCrea.
Josling said the blaze is believed
to have been the result of a poorly-
constructed chimney. The house was
an old schoolhouse, constructed in
1909. The chimney was original and
the house was heated by a wood
furnace.
The loss to the Montgomerys is
complete said Josling. He estimates
the value at $250,000.
The family is grateful for the
offers of assistance they have
received.
The Maitland Conservation
Foundation’s 19th annual dinner and
auction is Friday, April 20 at the
Brussels, Morris and Grey
Community Centre.
“The dinner and auction supports
conservation education programs
offered by the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority,” said MVCA
community education technician
Esther Buck. “Over the years, the
funds raised at this event have helped
thousands of students enjoy high
quality, hands-on learning
experiences. These activities include
in-school programs as well as
programs at the Wawanosh Nature
Centre.”
In 2006 over 700 area students were
amongst the 6,000 visitors who
participated in activities at the Nature
Centre. “The Foundation would like to
continue our commitment to
environmental education by raising
$25,000 at this year’s event” said
John Chippa, Foundation chair.
Doors open at 6 p.m and those
attending will enjoy appetizers while
viewing the wide array of raffle
packages and silent and live auction
items. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. followed
by the live auction. Tickets are $30 per
person and special tables of eight may
also be purchased.
Donations of raffle and auction are
still being accepted. Event
sponsorships are also available at the
$100, $250 and $500 level.
For further information contact the
Foundation office at 519-335-3557.
The Maitland Conservation
Foundation is a registered, charitable,
non-profit organization that supports
the environmental work of the
Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority. Established in 1975 the
Foundation’s Board of Directors and
members are volunteers.
Family pooch survives hours in fire
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Foundation’s big fundraiser April 20
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen