Tara Jeffrey
Cottage owners on Stag and Fawn islands are concerned after learning St. Clair Township firefighters have no approved boats to cross the St. Clair River in an emergency.
Residents are worried because of a new interpretation of an existing Transport Canada law that prohibits firefighters from reaching the islands on boats that aren’t commercially licensed, Derek Rideout told St. Clair Township Council last week.
Rideout, a cottager on Stag Island just offshore from Corunna, was also speaking on behalf of residents of Fawn Island, near Sombra.
“This is now a decrease in the level of service compared to what existed previously — and this is a cause for concern for residents on the island communities, as you can imagine,” he said.
St. Clair Township firefighters have traditionally used the ferries at both islands to respond to 911 calls, said Richard Boyes, who was appointed township fire chief last fall.
But a New Year’s Day fire on Fawn Island prompted Boyes — former director of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) — to look into the response requirements for the roughly 200 dwellings on the islands.
During his investigation he discovered any boat transporting firefighters must be registered as a commercial vessel, according to Transport Canada.
“Both the island associations confirmed the boats are pleasure craft, and are exploring the possibility of registering as commercial vessels,” he said. “But Stag Island indicated at council that it might not be a possibility for them.”
In the interim, an agreement has been reached with the Point Edward Fire Service and Lambton OPP to provide assistance until a more permanent solution can be found.
Each could be contacted and dispatch a boat to Stag or Fawn Island, Boyes said. “But of course it’s time and distance, which is not that great.”
The township is also looking into whether the Coast Guard could assist, he added.
Boyes is compiling a report with options to bring to council in June.
“One of the possibilities is that council can determine that they wish to purchase a boat and provide that service,” he said.
In the meantime, the islanders are uneasy, Rideout said.
“The delay in response time could have serious consequences for both personal and property damage,” he told council.
“I understand you are working on a more permanent and expedient solution to this problem — I’m here to express our concern and encourage you to find a better solution before something tragic happens.”