By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council will request a meeting with Minister of Health and Community Services John Hogan to ask whether the Province can help the town and it’s volunteer fire department bear some of the burden of providing emergency response services within the region.
Town CAO Jennifer Aspell noted that in 2024 the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department received 286 calls for service, 218 of which were medical calls.
Aspell said the issue has been discussed often over the years, and that provision of an ambulance service would be ideal. Barring a local ambulance service, Aspell suggested the Province could supplement the fire department or help cover the costs of training and equipment.
“There’s no harm in meeting with the minister,” ventured councillor Ralph Carey. “Nothing lost, nothing gained.”
The motion, brought before council during this month’s public meeting, was approved unanimously.
