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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-02-19, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1992. Proposed legislation concerns fire depts. The threat of proposed provincial legislation, which will make volun teer firefighters, personally respon sible, both legally and financially for their actions, may have them thinking twice about volunteering. Blyth Fire Chief says the Min istry of Occupational Health and Safety has proposed safety legisla tion that if not followed, the fire men can face fines that will not be covered by insurance and may even lead to court. "One of the things is that individ uals working pumps from the river, must wear a life jacket. If not they can be charged." As an example Chief Josling noted the case last June when a novice firefighter from the Port Colbome area took part in a rescue of two people from Lake Erie. The firefighter lost his life and now, Mr. Josling says, the Deputy-Chief and Chief may be charged by the Min istry and face a possible jail term. "They are over regulating us right out of business. If I take a chance every time that fire siren goes that I could be charged I'm not going to be doing it. The system has got to be safe, but there has to be common sense to it as well." Brussels Chief Howard Bernard echoes Chief Josling's sentiments. "We are not going to be able to afford to get involved," he said. "I’m getting fed up. They (the NDP government) are passing legislation that hangs anybody and every body." In Baden recently the Ministry of Labour laid charges against fire fighters from three volunteer brigades in Wilmot Township. In a newspaper report, Baden Fire Chief Blain Bechthold echoed Chief Josling's feelings. "It isn't I1 Burning issues Volunteer fire departments are being hit with proposed safety legislations that have some firefighers fired up. worth my time and effort being a volunteer if there is a real possibili ty of ending up in court," he said to the township fire and emergency committee. He said the proposed legislation not only permits the charging of an individual rather than the munici pality or the department without recourse to insurance coverage. "If this is held over the heads of volunteers, let alone full-time fire- fighters, Wilmot can say goodbye to its 75 volunteers," he said. As one Wilmot councillor point ed out the legislation could precipi tate the end of the volunteer fire departments and being unable to pay a full-time force, the township would be unprotected. Grey Township Fire Chief Gary Earl said that though he didn't real ly have a strong opinion regarding the issue he did agree that the legis- lation could make some decisions harder for to firefighters make. Robin Dunbar, a Grey Township councillor and spokesperson for MPP Paul Klopp said it was his understanding that the charges in the Port Colbome case were being Bunker suits costly investment Due to new provincial legisla tion, area fire departments must have all volunteers equipped with $1,000 bunker suits by 1995. Though it is a safety precaution for the firefighters, it will prove a costly one for taxpayers. Blyth needs a total of 18 suits while Grey needs 21 and Brussels 14. To lighten the burden somewhat the departments are spreading the purchase over the next few years. Blyth has already bought five of the heavily insulated jacket and pants. Grey Chief Gary Earl says that though it is going to put a strain on he municipality the suits do offer the men more protection. Farmers rally in Kitchener Many Huron County farmers were among the more than 2500 angry Ontario dairy, egg and poul try farmers who rallied in Kitchen er on February 4, to demand that the federal government take a firm stand in international trade talks. The farmers are concerned that the federal government will destroy Canadian agriculture by softening its position on the General Agree ment on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), thus allowing a flood of heavily subsidized imported food products into the country. Unlike farmers in the U.S. and Europe, Canadian farmers operate under supply management, produc ing only what is needed for our domestic market. In the U.S., the government buys all surplus pro duction with the taxpayers subsi dizing the operating system. In Canada however, all costs are paid by the farmer. Peter Oosterhoff, vice-chairman of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board, warned that the farming community faces the loss of 100,000 jobs and an $18 billion industry. Agriculture and food is the second-largest sector in the Ontario economy after the automo tive sector, with supply-managed commodities accounting for one- quarter of this business. When employment in transportation, pro- cessing, and retailing are added on, farm produce plays a vital role in the economic health of this country. "This deal is about to do for agri culture what free trade did for man ufacturing," Oosterhoff warned. "The American dairy industry's sur plus milk equals our total produc tion. We can't allow that to be dumped in Canada at the expense of our dairy farmers." Tariffication proposals in GATT aim to solve over-production and taxpayer subsidy costs in the rest of the world. Canada however, has among the world's lowest subsidies and surpluses so the reductions imposed would do the most dam age in Canada. Leaders of farm organizations across Canada will meet in Ottawa on February 18, to continue their pressure on the federal government. The Heart and Stroke Foundation celebrates 40 years of progress in reducing premature death and dis ability from heart disease and stroke. / laid because the firefighter had been doing something he was not trained for. However, he said the office had received no communica tion regarding the proposed legisla tion. "In the country we are dependent on our volunteer depart ments so it is threatening. I recom mend that any fire chiefs having concerns, come to the office and express them to Mr. Klopp," he said. Christmas & Country presents TWO SHORT COURSES FLORAL DESIGN - (Fresh & Artificial) 3 WEEKS Mon. March 2, March 9 & March 16 Registration Fee: $25.00 Nightly cost for materials approx........$10.00 DESIGN IN PRESERVED & DRIED MATERIAL 3 WEEKS Wed. March 4, March 11 & March 18 Registration Fee: $25.00 Nightly cost for materials approx. $15.00 - $20.00 TIME: 7-10 p.m. all classes LOCATION: Christmas & Country Registration due by Feb. 26, 1992 For more information call 523-4820 Huron County Special Olympics needs VOLUNTEERS 4 ATHLETES lor our-&/o^ BOWLING PROGRAM Huron County at Clinton Crown Lanes 228 Victoria St., Hwy4 South, Clinton. Every Thursday at 1:30 pm Starting Thursday, February 20 For more information Call Karen 482-7791 BLYTH RUTABAGA FESTIVAL COMMITTEE presents HOCKEY NIGHT IN BLYTH at Pub Night at the Blyth Inn March 7, 1992 Draw for 4 Gold Seat Tickets See the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Quebec Nordiques March 17, 1992 Luxury Limousine ride from Blyth to Toronto and a return trip Dinner Reservations at Don Cherry Grape Vine Restaurant Toronto $100.00 Dinner Allowance / Also 2 Tickets for Kitchener Rangers vs Owen Sound, plus many other door prizes Prizes from Gary's Sports Corner, Heywood Sports Clinton, Blyth Festival, and more to come Tickets $5.00 Available from Committee Members and participating merchants