Residents in South Bruce Peninsula are discussing more emergency protection for the Fishing Islands in Oliphant.
Earlier this month, residents made a presentation to council outlining desired equipment to enhance fire suppression on the islands.
They are concerned a fire on one of the islands would burn the whole thing, including trees. They say a recent lightning strike on Cranberry Island burned a cottage to the ground and it was only a heavy rainfall that saved the vegetation on the island from going up in flames.
They say in their presentation, “We have little expectation that a burning cottage on an island can be saved, but our goal is to save the trees and other cottages on the island.”
They note, a fire on Mcallum Island 90 years ago destroyed the forest there, and only ‘scrubby’ trees have regrown since.
They’re looking to arrange funding for a used fire/rescue boat with a professional pump and hose, AEDs (automated external defibrillators), first aid equipment, a stretcher and other equipment.
They’re worried a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke while on the islands would be fatal.
They are also pointing to what other island communities have done, which includes having ‘pump boxes’ at different locations which contain portable pumps and hoses, spare gas, an axe, pick, shovel and defibrillator.
They’re currently looking to map out 911 addresses on the islands and also looking for the Town to partner with Bruce County Paramedics and OPP in providing emergency services to the islands.
They say in their proposal, more than 70 island ratepayers contribute taxes to the Town, but there is limited EMS or fire safety services for the islands.
Meanwhile, Mayor Janice Jackson says the next step in the decision making process includes the Fire Chief submitting a more detailed report about the costs of the initiative, and Jackson says she also plans to discuss the suggestion with the OPP at the next Police Services Board meeting.
Correction: An earlier version of the article called the residents ‘firefighters,’ They are not.
