A unique agreement, considered exceptional, was signed to deal with fire coverage in the Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC territory.
Entraide Mutuelle de feu du Québec Sud-Ouest, an association that includes eight of the nine fire departments in the Haut-Saint-Laurent as well as those from the municipalities of Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague and Saint-Etienne-de-Beauharnois, recently wrapped up the terms for a new partnership.
This agreement involves the collaboration of some 225 firefighters and police officers in responding to calls and guaranteeing the safety of citizens in the Haut-Saint-Laurent. Firefighters from Franklin, Godmanchester, Hinchinbrooke, Howick/Très-Saint-Sacrement, Huntingdon, Ormstown, Saint-Anicet and Sainte-Barbe are part of Entraide Mutuelle.
Founded in 1968, the association has grown over the years to become the size that it is today. « The unique character of the agreement is based on the essentially volunteer work of the firefighters and their proximity to the scene of the fire, » stated Louise Lebrun, prefect for the Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC.
« The fire safety cover plan for our MRC provides for the presence of at least 8 firefighters within 25 minutes to fight a fire. Thanks to the area it covers, Entraide Mutuelle is able to dispatch 40 firefighters within 13 minutes » indicated Lebrun, while mentioning that individual agreements have been signed between each member firefighting service in the association.
The new agreement was highlighted during an evening event held at the Alfred-Langevin Cultural Hall in Huntingdon on Wednesday. With 50 guests present, Stéphane Billette, our provincial MNA, paid tribute to the commitment of professional and volunteer firefighters in the region which reflects the solidarity of the Haut-Saint-Laurent community.
Translated by Cathleen Johnston
