Windsor Fire and Rescue Services still projecting budget shortfall

By: Dan Gray

Windsor Fire and Rescues Services continues to make changes in light of the budget shortfall contained a report headed to council tonight.

The City of Windsor’s 2015 budget of almost $41 million to protect citizens from fire will be about $1.6 million short this year. The projected number is contained in the operating budget variance report that will be seen by councilors tonight.

WFRS Chief Bruce Montone said the $1.6 million deficit is actually down from the first quarter projection of a $2 million. Keeping a closer eye on attendance as well as changing the recruitment process has brought the number down. Even with these efforts he admits they will not reach even before the end of the year.

According to Montone many different aspects play into whether the projected budget works out. He points and a decrease in revenue this year from a few sources as one of the many reasons there will be a shortfall.

“We make revenue for a variety of sources,” said Montone. “An area where are revenues are down is our maintenance facility on Kew Drive that maintains all of our equipment, we also provide that service for other municipalities…if they don’t bring us the work then obviously our revenue declines.”

On the cost side,one of the reasons they have gone up is an increase in major fires which requires bringing people in from off shift. There have been more of these incidents this year according to Montone.

“The number of major fires is a contributor, not a major contributor but a contributor none the less, because when the need for resources are stretched beyond the day to day levels of deployment, then we have to bring people in,” said Montone. “That’s based on overtime as per the terms of the collective agreement.”

One thing which doesn’t affect their budgets is calling the Ontario Fire Marshal. Montone wants people to understand the OFM is a provincially mandated body, they are required to contact them in certain situations that include arson, loss of life and explosions among others.

Jude Kelly is a communications manager for the OFM. He says the province pays for all the costs incurred by the office. He agrees the reasons and length of stay, therefore the costs, change on a fire by fire basis.

“I don’t know the costs of sending someone to Windsor specifically,” said Kelly.

Montone believes the $ 1.6 million projection will be decreased by years end as they work to bring absenteeism, retirements and other costs associated with keeping people safe down.