Aurora mayor lights up idea of York Region fire department

We have regional police and paramedics, why not firefighters, mayor asks

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 20, 2020
Lisa Queen

York Region should explore creating a regional fire department, according to Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas who is formally putting the issue on the table at a York committee meeting this week.

Meanwhile, a fallback plan is bringing Whitchurch-Stouffville into Central York Fire Services, now made up of Aurora and Newmarket.

Mrakas is putting forward a notice of motion at the Jan. 16 regional committee meeting, opening the door to looking at establishing a regional fire department.

He argues Aurora and Newmarket have already found efficiencies and enhanced service through consolidating their fire departments into the Central York service.

A regional department could uncover even greater efficiencies and service levels, Mrakas said.

“I think everyone knows I’m big on a regional fire service. I think it’s a way to avoid duplication and to provide a more enhanced, better level of service for residents of all of York Region instead of each municipality (providing their own department). I also believe over time, you will find cost efficiencies,” he said.

“The way that I look at it too, I think it’s pretty simple. If police can be a regional service and it makes sense, then why is fire not a regional service? And paramedics are (as well). If the two of them are, why is it difficult to have fire as a regional service? It only makes sense.”

A regional department has been floated in the past but never adopted, although there may be a growing appetite for the idea.

Meanwhile, Mrakas said he, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor and Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt have chatted over months about Whitchurch-Stouffville joining Central York. A formal proposal to explore the idea is expected to go to the town in the spring.

But before that idea is dealt with, momentum may have grown for a regional department and the three municipalities would hit the pause button on the expanded Central York department, he said.

“But if nothing happens (regionally) and that falls apart then let’s start up this aspect of it and let’s look at Stouffville and Central York joining forces,” Mrakas said.

Whitchurch-Stouffville is open to looking at both a regional department and joining Central York,

"Good management practice and common sense dictates that the town has an obligation to look at every opportunity to find efficiencies and improved service levels for our residents. Regional fire could be one such an opportunity among several options," town spokesperson Glenn Jackson said in a statement.

"The notice of motion presented at the recent Central York Fire JCC meeting by Aurora’s Mayor Mrakas is seeking permission to begin dialogue with WS Fire regarding possible amalgamation, which could lead to a regional fire service. His motion is simply beginning a conversation. There will be no change to our current Fire Service without our own due diligence, demonstrated benefit to the community, public input and, of course, council direction.”