By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 2 (January 23, 2020)
Shane Cole is holding the fort at the Witless Bay Regional Fire Department until a paid fire chief is hired.
Though the details have not be ironed out yet, Witless Bay town council are moving ahead with the plan to transition the position of volunteer fire chief to a paid position.
“We intend to have a meeting with all the various major players,” said Mayor Derm Moran during a Jan. 14 council meeting, the first of the new year.
“We don’t know yet, it’s down the road, as to the financing, whether full-time or part-time; once again, that’s all to be determined. There will be a meeting with the towns, and local service districts, and the fire department themselves.
“We will be setting a date for that, because everybody needs to know what the intent is,” he added.
“We need to generate revenue to cover the cost for the particular individual, whoever he or she is,” he noted
Former volunteer fire chief Paul Evoy, who had served for the last couple of years, informed the council earlier the fall that he would be stepping down due to work and family commitments.
Since then, Shane Cole, assistant chief, has taken the role of acting chief, with Evoy still on hand to help the transition.
Cole was at the meeting of council.
Councillor Vince Swain asked what kind of timeframe council should be looking at moving forward.
“As soon as possible would be nice, but however long it’s going to take it’s going to take,” said Cole.
Moran suggested that a consulting firm be hired, but that decision would be made at the as yet unscheduled meeting.
