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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-02-27, Page 3beech ww aeatieet Weisesda', February t!, 71165—Pltge 3 Question budget allocations for firetraining and safety inspections:. Members of the Iudmow Fire Board ques- tioned budget allocations for fire prevention inspection and fire training when reviewing the 1985 budget for the Iudaiow Fire Depart- ment. - Fere chief William A. "Bud" Hamilton allocated $1,500 for the fire prevention program and $2,000 for fire training, which drew queries from fire board members who are'representatives of the four municipalities served . by the fire department. A review of last year's statement of expen- ses at a meeting early in February also brought 'criticism for the fire department's $6,658.74 over run in 1984. Chief Hamiltpn had budgeted for expenses of $29,653, but actual expenditures amounted to $36,311:74. Chief Hamilton explained at the February 18 fire board meeting the budget is only an estimate and itis very difficult to predict what expenditures will be. There are . always unexpected expenses that come up through the year, said Hamilton. Chief Hamilton pointed out the previous year the department also overspent on its budget. Former fire chief George Whitby budgeted for expenses of $26,398, and actual expenditures in 1983 were $32,336.10, leaving an over .run of $5,987.10. Inspections included in budget..• •from page 1 the firebudget as an operating expense because it does not encourage fine prevention safety if the municipality charges a fee for the inspection. Jones said the owner is responsible for meeting the standards of the fire code. If an inspection is completed and the owner does not comply with the standards he can be prosecuted. More volunteer fire departments are taking an active role in inspections but people are unwilling to pay for advice to prorfote fire safety, said Jones. It is to the advantage of any municipality to have a fire prevention inspection program to prevent fires from occurring. A municipality can request permits be purchased for the installation of wood stoves, suggested Jones. This way the installation of a wood stove would be inspected and hope- fully improper installations would be prevent- ed and fireswould be avoided. Following. bones' . presentation the fire board discussed the implementation of the fire prevention program with the Ludknow fire chief William A. "Bud" Hamilton, deputy chief Ken Johnstone, fire captains, Peter Steer, Gary Austin, and lim Hallam and the department's secretary -treasurer, Evans Helm. Helm stated the department ' wants some direction from the board on the number of inspections. "Are we to refuse to do inspee- tiohs of stoves and then have them come back on us if they have a fire?" asked Helm Ashfield deputy reeve Allan Gibson said he is more concerned if firemen do inspect the Turn to page 11• Deputy thief Ken Johnston said he, the fie chief, fire captains and the secretary -treas- urer prepared the 1984 budget based on the previous budget which was found to contain an error of $6,000. Johnstone said we were out that much from the start because of the, error and we still ended up with only a $6,000 over run on the budget estimates.. Johnstone said there were unexpected repairs which had to be done in 1984 because things were simply wom out. These expendi- tures should not reciter in 1985 but you never know when .something unexpected will happen resulting in a large cost to the depart- ment, Johnstone added. Unexpected Expenses Fire board member Allan Gibson, deputy reeve of Ashfield, remarked in the Ashfield budgets "we run within $100 either way. We don't over run a budget by $6,000. Board member David • Fadie of Kinloss Township council suggested there may, be • 'unforeseen things and the departrnent may have to cut something from the budget such as deciding not to purchase a piece of equip- ment, to stay within its budget. Chief Hamilton itemized the budget over run saying the 1984 budget did not consider hats ordered previously which had to be paid for out of the 1984 allotment. Also included in the over run were new brakes on the, pumper truck, a. canvass for the portable tank, a new truck tarp and a new saw. Ken Jones, fire services advisor for Bruce, Grey and Duffering counties attended the February 18 fire board meeting to explain the department's 'fire prevention, program and defended the chiefs . budget allotment of $2,000 for fire training. Fire training is the basis of fire department operations, said Jones. Regionalfire schools are'held around the province but they are only accessible to a department once in every four years or so. Only nine regional schools are be- ing held this year and as one is being held in Port Elgin which is accessible to the Ludmow department, Jones told the fire board he hoped the department could send five 'firemen which would be their full registra- tion. The cost to send five Lrdknow firemen to the school for the one week training program will be $2,500, said Jones. There is no cost to the department for the school registration or materials, but firemen are expected to pay for their own lundi, aeeorrurndations if necessary and mileage. Municipalitiesare expected to The drama of the situation is evident on the face of i ndmow deputy fire chief Ken Johnstone as he straps on an oxygen tank to return to a burning garage on Lucknow's main street Fliday morning. A at the garage operated by G. T. Montgomery Ltd., destroyed a school bus and caused extensive damage to the building. A tense situation developed when firemen removed acetyl ne tanks, in danger of exploding, from the burning garage. Photo by Sharon Dietz) TheiB%RRSP, For More than 1,5 years Industrial Growth Fund is still averaging more than 18°° in annual compound returns. And that's consistent RRSP growth over the long term. For more than 15 years. "JUST IN" *15 Years: 19% *3 Years: 25.7°° *1 Year: 13.1 °° But, impressive as this record is, there's much more you should know. Before you buy any RRSP and for further information call Dennif J. Little ogentfor REGAL CAPL 609 WILLIAM ST. �NS SUITE 201 I L. LONDON ONT. N683G1 � 438-2171 NNUITIES LTD: •Investments• Annuifies•Life Insurance 53 WEST ST., GODERICH 524-2773 reimburse the fireman) for these. out of pocket expenses as well as for lost wages. Jones estimates it will cost Iucknow fire department $.100 to send a fireman to the school Courses available at the regional school to be held this June/ include officer training, fire prevention, auto'' extracation and basic fire fighting. Fuc ' courses such as fare prevention technology and fire crime detection are also available at the Ontario Fire _ College in Gravenhurst. There is no cost to a department sending a man to 'the college for training, The cost of the school registration and materials, Tum to page 40 Discuss. repairs to fire car The subject • of ownership and I repairs regarding the Ludknow Fire Department car was brought to the attention of the Ludcnow Fire Board at their Febnrary 18 meeting. Extensive repairs to the fire' car are necessary including body work; clutch, brakes and 'possibly the replacement of the. rear end. Fire board. member Allan Gibson, deputy reeve of Ashfield Township, said he asked Ashfield Ttbwnship clerk Donald Sirnpson whether the fire car was included, in a transfer of property from Lrdknow to the townships when ' the agreement was drawn up for the four municipalities to operate the fire depart- ment sharing costs and ownership. Gibson said clerk Simpson believes the fire car was not transferred to the townships and Iudmow is -the sole owner of the car and therefore responsible for its repair costs. Board member Herb Clark, Lmdmow councillor, said Reeve George Joynt told him the 'car was listed on the inventory when the transfer of property was made to. the town- ships. Ownership of the car is shared by the four municipalities according to Joynt, said Clark, who added he has never seen the list of inventory. • Deputy fire chief Ken Johnstone remarked, " W e . just have to decide who owns the parts (of the car) that are bad. Anybody want to draw straws?" Fire captain Gary Austin commented the fire care is useful for driving to Mutual Aid meetings the Lhdknow department is expect- ed to attend. Board member Dave Eadie of Kinloss Council suggested the board authorize an amount to be spent and the car will be fixed according to that amount. "If you can make (the car) serviceable for $800 or $900, you sure won't get a car for that. But would that do it?" asked Clark Eadie observed the board could spend $2,000 without batting an eye. "Maybe we should park it and firemen should start using their own cars (for fire department business)," added captain Aust- in. Bruce Raynard, chairman of the fire board, called for a motion and it was decided to spend no more than $800 on repairs t?br the fire car. Captain Austin is to get the best estimates and have the work done: Attention Corn Producers) The Ontario Corn Producers Association WILL HOLD ITS REGIONAL MEETING [Huron, Bruce and Perth Counties] AND MARKETING SEMINAR Thursday, February 28, 1 985 ri 10 A.M.-3:3d,P.M OPTIMIST HALL, SEAFORTH $10.00 PER TICKET HOT LUNCH PROVIDED GUEST SPEAKERS: Art Lawson, London; Tlno Bruer, Cook's, Hensali; Chris Gaston, Canavest House Ltd.