Georgina, East Gwillimbury mulling fire services merger

Towns receive provincial funding for joint fire services assessment

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 1, 2022
Amanda Persico

Georgina and East Gwillimbury are starting to look at a joint fire services department.

The towns received about $356,000 from the province’s municipal modernization program to complete a joint fire services assessment.

The funding is earmarked for a third-party review looking at fire service effectiveness and efficiencies.

Funding will also go toward updating fire master plans for both communities as it relates to future growth, joint coverage and potentially a joint fire service.

Both communities expect to see significant growth in the coming years.

Both East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson and neighbouring Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk agree, this is an opportunity to look at new ways of delivering a better service for residents in both communities.

A report outlining joint efficiencies and exploring a joint fire service is expected early 2023.

The municipal modernization program, introduced in 2019, helps more than 400 small and rural municipalities improve services for residents, with a focus on digital modernization, service integration and streamlining development approvals.