Prince Twp suffers fire dept meltdown. Sault agrees to help

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE

PRINCE TOWNSHIP

************************* Sault Ste. Marie to provide fire protection to Prince Township

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The City of Sault Ste. Marie has agreed to provide fire protection and prevention services to the Township of Prince.

Prince Township officials requested that the City provide these services on an interim basis to allow the township an opportunity to address current challenges within its volunteer fire department.

The Township of Prince has a population of about 1,000 with 445 households.

Sault Fire Services historically provided fire protection to the municipality until it formed its volunteer fire department in 1991.

Sault Ste. Marie City Council will be asked to formally approve an agreement similar to one with Batchewana First Nation.

This would equate to an annual cost to Prince Township of approximately $137 per capita.

Prince Township volunteers will continue to provide first response medical services.

“The protection and safety of Prince Township residents remains our primary concern,” says Reeve Lou Madonna. “I am optimistic that this agreement will provide an opportunity for us to restructure and rebuild our volunteer fire department.”

“Prince Township and Sault Ste. Marie have a long-standing and excellent working relationship as good neighbours,” states Sault Ste. Marie Fire Chief Lynn McCoy. “We willingly extend assistance to Prince Township during this transitional period.”

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