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Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 9 FIRE MEETING Continued from front when they leave the station. Frank Azevedo, Chairman of the CFFA's Political Action Committee, told the Orono Times on Monday that when staff was on holidays, off sick or on a training course, there was a couple of times this summer that trucks in Bowmanville and Courtice the Municipality's two stations staffed with full time firefighters - left the station with three firefighters instead of four. Dan Worrall, the CFFA's president, told the Orono Times it is not uncommon that trucks respond to a call with only three staff members on board. Berney could not tell council members how often the truck leaves the station with only three firefighters on board. If a truck arrives on the scene with three firefighters, a risk assessment has to be made whether to move forward, go into offense mode and attack the scenario or remain in defensive mode until further personnel arrive on scene. The firefighters work on a buddy system, they only go into structures in pairs, Berney told councillors. Councillor Foster asked the Clerk if she received calls from the public concerned with fire safety in Clarington. The Clerk said she had not received any calls. Foster then asked Berney if he received calls from the public concerned with fire safety. He responded that he had only received calls from some council members. Upon further questioning, Berney said he learned before noon on Monday that he would be making the presentation at Tuesday's meeting, and it took him 12 hours to make his report. The Fire Chief is away this week on a scheduled holiday. Councillor Trim wanted to discuss upcoming contract negotiations with the firefighters' union, and it was suggested they go "in camera" for that conversation. Foster objected to going "in camera" to discuss firefighters' compensation, as it was made clear by the Mayor at the beginning of the meeting, the only topic would be fire safety in Clarington. "I think it is very important not to sit on this until the new council comes into play in the new year," Trim said in defense of his motion. "This council is responsible until November." When council came out of the back room, it was reported that no decisions had been made. Trim made a motion at the end of the meeting to thank the Deputy Fire Chief for his presentation and for clarifying the safety of our fire services. He also recommended the continued progression of implementation of the Master Fire Plan be referred to the incoming council. As it has been council's policy since the Master Fire Plan was initiated in 2003 to implement the Plan's recommendations as finances allow, Foster and Woo said the presentation would have been better presented at an orientation session for the new council. Foster who called the purpose of the meeting "rather vague, and rather odd" at the opening of the session, called it "a pure exercise in politicking" at the end of the meeting. Foster and Woo walked out of the meeting prior to the recorded vote on whether or not to accept Trim's recommendation that the next council move forward with the Master Fire Plan. The Firefighters in attendance at the meeting also made a show of walking out of the meeting when the vote was called.