Richmond Hill councillors call for York Region fire department

Momentum appears to be growing for regional service

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 27, 2020
Lisa Queen

Momentum appears to be building for a York Region fire department.

Days after Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas told regional councillors he wants to explore creating a single York fire service to replace the existing eight local departments, two Richmond Hill councillors say they are on board with the idea.

Coun. Carmine Perrelli is putting forward a motion at the Jan. 22 town council meeting calling for the region to upload fire protection.

Providing fire coverage and determining the best place to build fire stations should be done without worrying about municipal boundaries, the motion, seconded by Coun. Greg Beros, said.

York Regional Police and paramedic services are already provided regionally, the Richmond Hill councillors said.

A regional department would also act more efficiently to provide non-emergency services such as training, dispatch, vehicle maintenance and inspections, their motion said.