City Enters into Agreement to Provide Georgian Bluffs with Fire Prevention Services 

Owen Sound Council has given the green light to continued collaboration between the City of Owen Sound and the Township of Georgian Bluffs, enabling the two municipalities to share Fire Prevention Services jointly. This partnership marks another proactive step toward sharing resources and more efficiently using taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.

Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services have been informally providing Fire Prevention Services to Georgian Bluffs since August 2019. Fire Prevention Staff conduct annual fire inspections of commercial buildings in Georgian Bluffs.  Owen Sound staff also assist with Post-Fire Investigations and Public Education activities. 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the municipalities has been created, which outlines how the services will be provided in addition to the associated cost recovery for Owen Sound. 

In addition to the staffing and monetary benefits, this model is especially advantageous in providing consistency in achieving compliance. Having businesses, homes, and public facilities in both municipalities inspected by the same full-time fire prevention staff benefits both communities and protects residents in both neighbouring municipalities equally.

The Owen Sound Fire Department has a dedicated and highly trained team of two Fire Prevention staff. These staff have spent several years attaining the certifications required for building inspections and fire investigations. The Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) and Fire Prevention Inspector (FPI) can accommodate the additional days per year in Georgian Bluffs without impacting the service levels provided in Owen Sound.  

This shared service agreement builds upon the current collaboration between Owen Sound and Georgian Bluffs to share services regarding the Leaf and Yard Waste Site in Owen Sound and Building Services.

For the details of the shared fire service project, view the report here.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca.

Quotes:
"The shared fire prevention service between Owen Sound and Georgian Bluffs exemplifies our commitment to fostering collaborative relationships that benefit the entire community.  This partnership not only ensures excellent fire services, making our region safer and more resilient, but also enhances financial efficiencies."
  -  Mayor Ian Boddy, Owen Sound

“Georgian Bluffs enjoys working closely with its neighbours in Owen Sound and are pleased to formalize the agreement for sharing services for Fire Prevention that we have had for several years. The Fire Prevention Officers’ work with community, businesses and residents is an important part of helping keep community safe and a critical role to support the important work of the Inter Township Fire Department in Georgian Bluffs.”
  -  Mayor Sue Carleton, Georgian Bluffs

Quick Facts:
•    A survey by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing found that 400 out of 444 (about 90 per cent) of Ontario's municipalities have some kind of shared service agreement.

-30-