New $5.6 million Dorchester fire hall nearing completion

The Town of Tantramar is seeking proposals from outside consultants for a comprehensive review of its fire service, which operates three fire halls in Dorchester, Sackville and Pointe de Bute.

The review will include the development of a 10-year plan identifying the level of fire service residents can expect, with recommendations based on community risks and National Fire Protection Association standards.

“Tantramar’s project budget for the entire project is $50,000 + H.S.T.,” says the municipality’s 21-page Request for Proposals (RFP), issued last Wednesday.

The RFP says the three fire stations have a current roster of 54 volunteer firefighters, compared with a potential complement of up to 80. It requires consultants to evaluate options for composite staffing—a combination of full-time career firefighters and volunteers.

As Warktimes reported in August, several other New Brunswick municipalities, including St. Stephen, Woodstock and Oromocto, have already adopted composite staffing, with varying ratios of career firefighters to volunteers.

Role of full-time fire chief

Tantramar is currently hiring a full-time chief for Sackville Fire and Rescue, with an annual salary ranging from $73,860 to $98,480. The job posting closed on August 28.

The RFP asks consultants to recommend an organizational structure for Tantramar Fire Service, including the place of the full-time chief within it, and the number of firefighters needed to provide safe and sustainable service.

The review will also examine whether Tantramar has the right fire stations, vehicles and equipment in the right places; the costs of individual services; mutual aid arrangements with neighbouring departments; and the department’s role in providing medical first response services.

It will include a one-year plan for beginning to implement the recommendations.

Consultants are also being asked to examine firefighter training, workload and morale, as well as recruitment, retention and the risk of burnout.

The RFP says the successful consultant should, ideally, interview the fire service’s members and officers.

The RFP closes on September 28th.

For earlier coverage, click here.