The 2017 budget for EMS was $38.9 million. Half of that is paid by the province, with Windsor and the seven county municipalities sharing the other half based on an assessment formula. But because the province actually funds 50 per cent of the previous year’s budget, the municipalities would be forced to eat the entire $3.3-million hit in 2018. The ambulance service is proposing phasing in the service enhancement to make that hit easier to take.

Krauter wants to add a new ambulance — which requires 12 FTEs to operate 24/7 — at its Dougall Avenue station. He also wants to add hours of service at its Jefferson station and add a single-paramedic emergency response unit to help cover the St. Joachim/Ruscom areas of Lakeshore. 

The City of Campbell River has decided that one of its old fire trucks, while no longer fit for purpose here in Canada, could still be used in a developing nation.

The truck, a 1986 Mack, will be donated to Firefighters Without Borders Canada and deployed somewhere it can be of help as a front-line service vehicle.

The city will seek a $19,152 grant from the Firehouse Subs Foundation to buy the equipment for each of the riding positions on a fire apparatus and the battalion chief, according to a memo from Fire Chief Robert Edgar to the council. No match involving local funds is required.

It's different than their current fleet because it's both a rescue truck and engine.

Right now, there are separate trucks for the separate jobs. Leaders say the new truck will be better for the city, especially as the department has gotten smaller.

The new truck is 36' long; 3-to-4 feet longer than current trucks which they'll be keeping as well.