View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores

We realize and are told that this decision is only in the discussion stage,
but we are very concerned what it may lead to in the future.
As a Fire Department of Lambton Shores, we have a few concerns with the
Council meetings being held in the Thedford Village Complex, and we wish that
these concerns be included in your January 31 st , 2013 agenda and discussion
concerning the future of the Thedford Village Complex:
i) As you all aware of the sign which is posted in the complex, there is
a maximum capacity number for the meeting room. On several occasions,
we have witnessed “standing room only” in the complex which violates the
Fire Marshall’s occupancy permitted in the room at one time;
ii) The Fire Department has only three (3) “Fire Department only”
parking spots available at any one time. On the average for fire calls and
practice nights, we have anywhere between 15-20 firefighters in
attendance. Therefore, if there is a council meeting during a fire call or
practice, the majority of the Fire Department are scrambling to find parking
spots due to the “popularity” of the recent council meetings. This could
hinder the response time to an emergency call. The parking lot across
from the firehall, to the east, is a privately owned parcel of property. We do
not have permission to park in this area. The only other option is the
parking near the complex and on the street. By having your council
meetings at the complex, and the increase in volume at these meetings,
there is very limited parking to the firemen in case of an emergency.
iii) On several occasions, on practice night, which is every other
Tuesday night, the “temporary” council chambers has not been removed or
taken down from the meeting room, making it difficult for our department to
conduct our essential training. We use the meeting room every other
Tuesday night (and have since the facility was built) for training exercises,
presentations, and also for Lambton County Chiefs’ meetings, Mutual Aid
and Fire Prevention meetings.
In closing, we would appreciate your consideration when deciding on the
future of the Thedford Village Complex / Thedford Fire Department Training
Room. We are very concerned that this facility which was built by the community
for its use of all of the residents of Thedford and surrounding area, is going to be
taken away and turned into a “Permanent Council Chambers”.
Sincerely and respectively,
The Thedford (Lambton Shores)
Fire Department
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