Councillor Dan Yake wants to make sure the township’s emergency funding is completed this year.
The grant for a generator for the Arthur Fire Hall did not get in time for the application.
When the item was raised at the recent fire committee meeting, Yake asked if an application should be made this year. In addition, concerns were raised about purchasing a portable generator to be shared with the Arthur arena, as the Arthur Fire Hall is designated as a secondary emergency operations centre (EOC).
One issue raised was if the roads are closed or blocked – who would be responsible for moving the unit and who would have the responsibility for maintaining the generator.
During the Wellington North meeting on April 12, Yake noted the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program grant was missed to allow the purchase this year.
He asked if the application process could be started now to ensure the grant deadline is not missed this year.
Clerk Lori Heinbuch said that work has already started.
The forms are being filled, she said. However, council still needs to determine what exactly it is applying for.
Heinbuch said the JEPP program would more likely fund a portable one, rather than for a fire hall, since it is a secondary EOC – not a primary one.
Councillor John Matusinec said “Lori is absolutely right, and I don’t think you’ll see the one in the fire hall being covered.”
Yake noted “from a financial perspective, I just want to make sure everything in place by the end of the year.”
