Springwater searching for new fire chief and deputy

Springwater Township is losing its fire chief and deputy fire chief, as it begins implementing its fire master plan.

Fire chief Tony Van Dam and deputy chief Craig Williams tendered their resignations last week, just as the township looks to begin implementing many of its 2015 fire master plan recommendations.

Mayor Bill French had nothing but praise for the two senior emergency services professionals and what they accomplished.

“During Tony’s time here, he’s made a lot of improvements. He’s brought new systems, training and better equipment. Craig came with lots of background with paramedic services and the county,” said French.

The two will be leaving July 15.

They are the second and third senior managers to leave Springwater this spring. Clerk John Daly left to go to Simcoe County.

“In most businesses people move to better their careers. In small municipalities, there are ceilings,” said French.

However, Williams is taking on the deputy chief’s role in Wasaga Beach and Van Dam the chief’s role with the Township of Georgian Bay.

French noted that Williams lives in Wasaga Beach and suggested he might want to work closer to home or serve his home community.

Van Dam is heading to Georgian Bay township, where Springwater’s former director of public works went more than a year ago.

French said the timing of the fire chief and deputy chief won’t adversely affect the township’s moving forward with its fire master plan, which includes a review of Springwater’s four fire stations.

That review will recommend repairs and upgrades and is to be complete by December 2016, in time for priorities to be set for the 2017 budget.

On hold are the opening of Anne Street – a strategy to reduce response times – and the upgrading of the Midhurst fire station.

The Midhurst station, located in a former county public works building, is cramped, noted French.

“The fire station is temporarily in our Snow Valley public works building. What we’re looking for is to develop partnerships with other agencies,” he said, such as Clearview Township’s fire services partnership with paramedics and the OPP in Stayner.

“The paramedic station (on Bayfield Street) will be moving a little further north. We may have the opportunity to co-locate.

“There’s nothing wrong with the (Midhurst fire station’s) location. It is cramped because it was set up as temporary. I would hope that’s not why (Van Dam and Williams) are leaving.”

He added the township will be looking at “interim solutions” as the chief and deputy chief prepare to move on.

“We have a very solid crew and we will be discussing interim solutions and looking for a new chief and deputy chief,” said French.

“Obviously when people leave, it’s a challenge, but then you have a different set of eyes.”