Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1963-11-28, Page 8Page 8 -- Wingham Advance -Times, Thursday, Nov. 28, 1863 Need for Mutual Aid Fire System Discussed By W. E. Elliott GODERICH—Within a few weeks, a meeting of municipal fire chiefs in Huron may be called to renew discussion of a mutual aid fire system, This was indicated by F. C. Ander- son, of Guelph, instructor in the fire services division, Ontario Fire Marshal's Office, at close of a long discussion following the EMO report by county co- ordinator Stuart Forbes. Only two Ontario counties are with- out a mutual system, county council was told. "In Huron," said S. E. Ox- enham, Toronto, assistant chief of the fire services division, "we have endeavored on two occasions in five years to or- ganize this system. The res- ponse at the time was not ade- quate for us to produce a proper system. Mutual aid is not meant to augment or supple- ment fire departments for every- day operation, but for a fire similar to what you had inGod- erich, one that no department is prepared to handle. In such cases, neighboring municipali- ties will respond, and outlying areas will provide cover for the responding municipalities." Mr. Oxenham explained that in most countries the chief of the largest paid fire depart- ment is made co-ordinator for the mutual aid system. There is no paid fire chief in Huron, and Chief Scott of Seaforth has been named co-ordinator. He has worked hard on the system, but to no avail. Co-ordinator Forbes told council: "Before we can get EMO operating properly we must have a mutual aid fire system." Reeve Walkom, God- erich: " Would it be proper to name the town or towns which are not agreeable to go into this mutual aid? If Goderich is at fault I would like to know." Mr. Oxenham: "It is not in my province to put the finger on any municipality, but God- erich has been one of the strong- est supporters. There have been three or four municipali- ties which flatly refused to en- ter mutual aid, and it must be obvious to you we have had a great deal of opposition or we should have gone ahead. It does not affect private agree- ments between departments:' The discussion followed the 'county co-ordinator's report, and later he screened a film, "The Day Called X", showing Portland, Oregon, as a city with a plan for survival and continuance of its government. SITUATION DELICATE "The EMO situation here is rather delicate, in a way," Mr. Forbes said, "and there is not too much public acceptance. The province has given me ra- ther wide scope, and the coun- cil committee has been most helpful. I am hopeful of ob- taining some concrete results, but our limitations may curtail them. The task you have given me is a real challenge, and aroused my stubbornness to the extent I want to give you a good organization. "It is apparent from our near ly disastrous fire a week ago that a mutual aid fire system is long past due. I would ask you to give this much thought, and support immediate action. "I have personally contacted each clerk -treasurer and had a discussion; interviewed many people for possible department heads, and as they are on a voluntary basis it is difficult to pick the right person. The war- den* and chairman have done quite a lot of work and taken a great interest in the emergency measures plan for the county. I have drawn up a tentative plan for Huronview. I have at- tended two courses on orienta- tion and national survival at Arnprior. I have prepared Vol- ume One, a survival plan for heads of departments at muni- cipal level throughout thecoun- ty. "We were refused use of the Goderich fire siren for emergen- cies. The army is in charge of the warning system, and does not feel Huron is sufficiently large. It is quite a problem." Chairman Oesch said the co- ordinator had not been idle, and is making as much progress as anyone could expect in the conditions. Many problems have arisen, and will still arise. "During the recent fire in Goderich," said Clerk John Berry, "the co-ordinator was on the job. He happens to live not far from the fire, and I believe he spent most of the night as- sisting in every way he could. There are many emergencies that develop in which we can use our plans." Reeve Glenn Webb, Stephen said " We have agreements with . four municipalities, and own a share of Exeter, which will go anywhere in the township of Stephen. This gives us five pieces of fire -fighting equip- ment. I cannot see the advan- tages of a county system to a rural municipality. We pay a rate per hour and have no fur- ther responsibility." "Any agreement you have now would remaut constant," he was told. Reeve Clifford Dunbar, Grey: ?'We own our own volunteer fire equipment. We have an oc- casional call to Brussels depart- ment. Wingham responded on another occasion, and Listowel. Mutual aid was considered two or three years ago, and I be- lieve our municipality did not consider it to be of any benefit, and we did not agree on it." Mr. Oxenham: "They will do so on their own volition and leave their own area weakened or stripped of fire protection. We recognize this, and simply say because this is a natural ac- tion there should be a system provided whereby if you do this, a neighbor having similar honor will provide cover for you. A county, recognizing this is the honorable thing to do, will pro - vine co-ordination and protec- tion." Reeve Wm. Ball, Seaforth: "Do you have to have 100%?" Mr. Oxenham: "No; at last meeting we had possibly nine municipalities represented, and about seven voted in favor of mutual aid. This did not give us a majority of the whole county, because we did not have total representation," Reeve Adair, Wingham, des- cribed "a very satisfactory set- up"there, with certain Bruce municipalities in the fire area. "Where you border on other counties, it would be co-ordin- ated under mutual aid," said Mr. Oxenham, "and you would be protected by a bylaw, which is very important. In many cases a fire chief, because of devotion to duty, will take up- on himself actions that, if the pendulum swings the wrong way he will stand accountable, and the council also to the rate- payers. Under such a bylaw you are relieved of such action: At the closing session of council, Thursday afternoon, the EMO committee recom- mended: That the Fire Mar- shal's Office be requested to call a meeting to discuss mu- tual aid, and that copies of this resolution be sent to the local • • This is a Pocketbank A new Idea to help you take care of your money and It's excluslve at "The Bank" Fan -,"corro•tmm is#i�^tE9#� f.w:ry.e.b,,• e•,:...1 , This is a Pocketbank s:.+�.,• :.ca•R=a �.. • <. t+ ,, t:,r 'MoneY Mana er' "•> o a•:,•v+ e. i• t.� ,..: `�'..,. > Savings Account—Chequing Account—"Money Manager." Put them all together in a handsome wallet and you've got Pocketbank--the newest thing available to help you take care of your money, This portable aid acts as your accountant. It helps you to organize your income. You always know how much to keep for bills, living expenses —fun -money too! And because you always have an accurate record of your finances, you'll probably waste less and save morc. THE You know exactly how you stand with Pocketbank all the time. Everything you need is right there. A Savings Account book. A Personal Chequing Account cheque- book and cheque register. Deposit slips for both. And the convenient "Money Manager" that helps you itemize all your expenses in relation to your income. How do you get one/ Just walk into any branch of "The Bank" and ask. We'd love to show it to you. The price is just 24¢ plus lit sales tax. TORONTO -DOMINION Where people make the difference J. B. RUNSTEDTLER, Manager, Wingham Branch. BANK n A. E. GRAHAM, Manager, Gorrie Branch. • 1 Need Still Great For Foster Homes By W. E. Elliott GODERICH—Of 37 children made permanent wards of the Children's Aid Society in Huron this year, only one came into care,because of his own de- linquency. Eleven had lost one parent, three had lost both. At least 18 came from broken homes, and in at least 16 cases one cause for the breakup was drinking. These facts.were laid before county council in the report of Miss Clare McGowan, local director, who on this occasion stressed adoption problems. "All but five of these child- ren," she said, "were over two years old when admitted to care and the oldest was 15. The youngest permanent ward we now have who is not on adop- tion probation is seven, and we still hope he may be adopted. The next youngest is 11. We do not know of anyone who will adopt these older ones, all of whom have problems of various degrees of seriousness due to no fault of their own. So these children, who are the most damaged and who greatly need the security of permanent homes, seem destined to never have them. "Our foster families are real- ly exceptional. No one else knows what patient understand- ing and tireless effort goes into this work. At the board meet- ing last week it was agreed that our boarding rate (formerly $1) should be $1.25 per day, and with more difficult children we have authority to pay up to $2. This does not interfere with the extra $10 per month for prob- lem children. The Ontario Training School advertises in the newspapers that it pays $58 per month and provides exten- municipalities, requesting that they send their fire chief and a member of council. Chairman Milton Oesch said "It was thought that if the coun- ty gave its approval, more sup- port would be forthcoming from the municipalities." ..o sive fringe benefits. "Many wives who have spare time and want to in- crease the family incbme get jobs outside the home, This may be one reason it is so dif- ficult to get enough foster homes. Another reason, I be- lieve, is the type of child now coming into care. Aside from the adoptable babies, we very rarely have a curly-haired, blue-eyed girl or a handsome, clever little boy for whom to find a home. If such do corne into our care, they are apt to be full of problems. These children have missed out in love, intelligent training, security and care. Usually they have few clothes fit to wear, and bad- ly need medical and dental care. Some can't remember ever having been to church or Sunday school, do not know a prayer or Bible story unless they have le' rned them at school. All these things we try to give them," "We are very fortunate in Huron," said Warden Forbes, "to have a director such asMiss McGowan." The report of the wardens and personnel committee, ca ried by council on Tuesday, `' contained a recommendation that in the matter of establish- ing a homemakers service in the county no action be taken at present. • STILL MULES I have read somewhere the remarks of Frederick the Great when speaking about officers who relied solely on their prac-, tical experience and who ne- glected to study; he is supposed to have said that he had in his Army two mules who had been through forty, campaigns, but they were still mules. WE BRING BACK THAT SHOWROOM SHINE... We iron out dents and wrinkles ... touch-up scratches ... build up smashed fronts ... do any- thing and everything your car may need to restore that "like new" look . . .'repainting, wash -and - polish jobs, too. And we do it all with the skill and speed of long experience ... at moderate rates. WINGHAM BODY SHO P NORTH STREET PHONE 357- , 1102 Christmas flowers make beautiful gifts —to friends, relatives and loved ones. Bring the Christmas spirit right into your home with the traditional Yule- tide flowers and greens. For one and all ... To deck the office, Home and hall. POINSETTIA PLANTS - CYCLAMEN PLANTS • MIXED POTS - POTTED MUMS - FLOWER GIFT ARRANGE- MENTS - ARTIFICIAL CORSAGES—the smartest in town - CUT MUMS - CARNATIONS , - ROSES A complete line of BRASS PLANTERS and TROPICAL PLANTS CtCtetEKEMCKIVEK CtCCCK1CtCKtCtCtCtOKatt! tCtCWKTI R Ask about FLORA CHEQUES Q the gift certificate that can be redeemed s for flowers or plants at any of the r, 24,0000 member shops of the Florists' to Telegraph Delivery Association. yp A When you don't know what to sendIII — make it a FLORA CHEQUE w A in denominations of $5.00, $7.50, $10.00 g, iff= atatatatttta(2tat)(alaiDIA2taa.aiD,tD42aa:Z42(2,91)'.2t2ix REMEMBER YOUR . FRIENDS, HOME FOLKS AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATES WITH THE MOST APPROPRIATE GIFT OF ALL — FLOWERS hm - Phone FLOWERS8, Frances Street - Winga Open Weekdays 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. A • . •SGh: t::