Dryden councillors now have the numbers. Councillors asked Fire Chief Ryan Murrell and city administration to bring forth options to choose from for the delivery of the city’s fire coverage.

“Council has to ensure that they are getting the right facts,” said Fire Chief Ryan Murrell. That’s where were at right now. Our job is to provide those facts as staff members of the city. The public is also encouraged to look at the cost breakdowns.”

The different options for which model the city can choose from include the current model with paid volunteers, a model with a mixture of full-time staff and volunteers, a model where recent graduates from pre-service fire colleges in Ontario come to work and gain experience in Dryden, and a model where there are only paid on-call volunteer firefighters. Murrell noted that there is currently no time-frame for a decision to be made. 

The Ontario average for the cost of fire protection is roughly 7 per cent of the overall operating budget for municipalities. Currently, Dryden’s is sitting at 2.89 per cent. The city noted that safety is, and always was, the priority when reviewing each potential fire coverage model, although financial costs are also a factor.

Model #1 – 2018 Budget (current)

Full cost of department - $808,507
Cost per Household - $228.33
Cost per Capita - $104.34
Percentage of Budget – 2.89

Model #1 was the model in place prior to the current work stoppage. This utilizes trained volunteers at very high numbers and they also contribute to other community and safety events, including fireworks. There is a 9 minute average response time in the Pumper and in-house ability for large incidents. This model would have a Fire Underwriters Society rating of 3B. Bunker gear replacement for 55 individuals can also be very expensive.


Model #2 - Volunteers / Work Experience Program

Full cost of department - $863,749
Cost per Household - $243.93
Cost per Capita - $111.47
Percentage of Budget – 3.08

Difference from 2018 Budget - $55,242
Cost per Household Increase - $15.60

Funding options include any or a combination of the following:

- Savings withing city’s overall budget
- Reserves
- Estimated Tax Increase – 0.39 per cent

The work experience program would bring graduates from pre-service fire colleges in Ontario to work and live in Dryden. Fire departments in British Columbia use a similar model, where 50 per cent of their applicants come from Ontario.

This model would have an 8 minute average response time in the Pumper. The FUS rating will improve to 2 with potential to improve to 1. A living allowance is also part of this model for work experience program participants.


Model #3 – Paid on Call Volunteers

Full cost of department - $946,899
Cost per Household -$267.41
Cost per Capita - $122.20
Percentage of Budget – 3.38

Difference from 2018 Budget - $138,392
Cost per Household increase - $39.08

Funding options include any or a combination of the following:

- Savings withing city’s overall budget
- Reserves
- Estimated Tax Increase – 0.98 per cent

This model utilizes trained volunteers at very high numbers and they also contribute to other community and safety events, including fireworks. This model has a 9 minute average response in the Pumper and in-house ability for large incidents. The model would have a FUS rating of 3B. Bunker gear replacement for 55 firefighters is also very expensive. A heavy reliance on employers for response during daytime hours.


Model #4 Full time / Volunteer Firefighters

Full cost of department - $1,155,082
Cost per Household - #326.20
Cost per Capita - $149.06
Percentage of Budget – 4.13

Difference from 2018 Budget - $346,575
Cost per Household Increase - $97.87

Funding options include any or a combination of the following:

- Savings withing city’s overall budget
- Reserves
- Estimated Tax Increase – 2.46 per cent

This model builds retention and recruitment opportunities. There would be guaranteed daytime coverage with 3 full-time firefighters and an average response time of 7 minutes.

Financial implications – Current Budget allocation - $808,507

Councillors are looking at their options, as the work stoppage for volunteer firefighters in the city is continuing. On February 22, the Dryden Firefighters Association withdrew their services. The city currently has five contracted, full-time firefighters on staff.

For more information:
Deadlock in Dryden