No money in budget for Windsor firefighters to rescue people in water

Windsor Fire and Rescue Services won't be able to help with ice and water rescues, after city council rejected a $40,000 funding request.

Currently, Windsor firefighters can only help people from the shore and need to call neighbouring municipalities for assistance if a rescue involves water or ice.

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During city council's 2017 budget meeting Monday, chief Bruce Montone explained that while there is enough funding for training and equipment for ice and water rescues, the department needs additional funds to cover specialty pay firefighters are entitled to if they respond to aquatic emergencies.

The $40,000 request was rejected.

Right nowWindsor firefighters cannot go more than three feet into a body of water, Montonesaid, adding there have been eight water rescue calls in the last two years sothere's thepotential for danger.

"Insome cases there may be some additional risk ... and that's not something we want to see happen," he said.

Firefighters working in other parts of the region, includingLaSalle,are able to perform ice and water rescues, whileWindsor crews can only use reaching tools from the shore.

After a call for help goes out precious moments pass whileWindsor crews wait for firefighters who are able to go out on the water to arrive.

"If it's a life and death situation, the challenge we have is time," said Chief Montone.

Councillor IrekKusmierczyk voted in favour of the $40,000 fundingand is frustrated council as a whole voted against the money, particularly when contrasted with $50,000 spent to increase the Adventure Bay water park advertising budget.

"To have a situation where Windsor Fire doesn't have a clear mandate to go and rescue someone in the water, to me is absolutely unacceptable," he said.

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