The recent Prince Edward County council meeting erupted in intense discussion after a hearing a county fire risk assessment and station location optimization plan.

The plan, put together by hired consultant Emergency Management Group, proposes the relocation of Wellington Station 7 to County Roads 1 and 2, the merging and relocation of Bloomfield Station 2 and Milford Station 3 to Cherry Valley, and the decommissioning of Cressy Station 10 and Ameilasburgh Station 9.

According to the plan, this was done to improve resource efficiency/staffing coverage; address growth/service needs in the settlement area; and avoid costs associated with maintaining underperforming facilities and upgrading other facilities to conform with health, safety, and building standards.

During the meeting, South Marysburgh Coun. John Hirsch remarked that his constituents were already voicing concerns regarding fire service coverage. North Marysburgh Coun. David Harrison expressed his clear opposition to the plan’s proposal for Cressy Fire Station.Then, Picton Coun. Phil St-Jean  sought to remind the councillors and residents to be mindful of the costs of providing full fire services coverage in the county.

Committee, after hearing numerous comments from the audience, voted to discontinue the $75,000 fire optimization study.

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