Feds leave Sault airport up in the air over fire protection

A recent reclassification by the federal government has left the Sault Ste. Marie Airport without cash for fire protection, says City Solicitor Lorie Bottos.

So last night, Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation came to City Council to strike a deal.

After some heated debate, councillors agreed to enact an aircraft emergency rescue and firefighting service agreement with the airport corporation.

Bottos advised tonight that Canadian aviation regulations were revised effective June 30 of last year.

This revision eliminated the requirement that airports with fewer than 180,000 annual passengers must provide an on-site aircraft rescue and firefighting unit.

The amended regulation comes into effect at Sault Ste. Marie Airport on June 30 of this year.

While no longer legally obligated to do so, Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation, which operates the Sault Airport, wants to continue to be able to provide emergency response if needed, Bottos said.

Ward 2 Councillor Terry Sheehan expressed concern that response times may be too long if emergency services workers had to come to the airport from the Sault.

Bottos assured him that, as part of an agreement he was asking City Council to authorize, the airport corporation would keep its own equipment and fully trained staff on duty on a limited basis.

Bottos said that the City was being asked to cover the airport when its staff aren't available.

"This sort of mutual aid agreement has been the norm in the past between emergency response organizations," Bottos said. "But now the federal government is no longer funding emergency services for the airport if they are needed."

Under other mutual aid agreements between first response teams, a team responding outside its jurisdiction may have the option to bill for its services.

The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Corporation asked for and received coverage under the City's emergency response plan should the need arise, in exchange for availability of airport staff and equipment to the City when on duty.