The Fire Master Plan was presented to Mapleton council for endorsement after being worked on since December.

16 categories were highlighted by at least one recommendation each. Recommendations included a more focused training for deputy chiefs and fire chiefs as well as increased aerial coverage.

Another one of the 60 recommendations was to perform an in-depth study on the impacts and advantages of operating from a single fire station.

Also listed was the idea of incorporating diesel exhaust extraction systems into the Drayton and Moorefield fire stations.

Richard Boyes, president of consultant Emergency Services Strategy and Solutions, says what he calls a roadmap for the township will be thoroughly reviewed in years to come.

"This is a document that cannot go on the shelf. It'll be up to the fire chief to review and address it annually, look at the recommendations and ensure that council is informed at any given time as to what the needs of the fire department are," Boyes stated.

He added those closest to the issues involved were consulted during the process of constructing the plan.

"We did all the interviews, and more importantly at the start, we did a staff survey of the firefighters, and it's anonymous, but it gave us a really good idea of what's the heartbeat of the fire department like?" Boyes said.

"How does it work? What's going on? As all surveys go, there are comments written in, both pro and con, but it helped guide us as we moved through the process," he added.

Considered to work hand-in-hand with the plan, the Community Risk Assessment was also completed enroute to this green light from council. No immediate action will be taken by council on any of the recommendations. That being said, the document will serve as a guide for council in Mapleton for the next ten years.

Boyes reiterated "if we don’t educate the public, we’re never going to get ahead of fire deaths."

New resources to help keep an eye on functioning smoke alarms in resident homes was a recommendation, too, for a plan that will span into 2033.

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