The Town of Minto will donate $100 to a campaign to assist “double hatter” firefighters in their legal battle to continue serving their home communities.
Double hatters are full-time firefighters who also volunteer with their hometown fire service.
Five Caledon volunteer firefighters have been convicted by an Ontario Professional Firefighters Association (OPFFA) jury, fined and are awaiting an OPFFA appeal process before they can make their case to the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Councillor Dave Turton attended a presentation by one of the five – Mandy Gould, a professional firefighter in Brampton – at the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) convention.
“We had a young lady speak at AMO. It was pretty disheartening to see her pour her heart out there and want to be a full-time fireman and a part-time fireman and (face) so many roadblocks,” said Turton.
Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow said the volunteer firefighters would be appreciative of the support, noting the firefighters and the Caledon fire department “are paying the way.”
“It’s been quite a battle down there,” commented Mayor George Bridge.
