Avondale fire chief worried about lack of protection for RV parks, campgrounds

By Mark Squibb

A weekend fire has reignited the Town of Avondale’s push for fire protection service agreements with neighbouring RV parks and cabin owners.

“We received a call this past weekend at approximately 3 a.m. from a nearby RV park, as a camper was on fire,” said Avondale Fire Chief Chad Costello. “And I actually had to call back the person and say, ‘You’re outside the town boundary, we do not service that area.’ And that’s a hard call to make.”

Costello said he was able to help arrange for another fire department to respond to the incident, but added if a proper plan had been in place, the response would have been much quicker.
“We’ve received a lot of calls from campers wondering if they have service for fire protection or medical calls provided by Avondale, and the answer is ‘No,’” said Costello. “Anything outside of the town boundary would require a service agreement. Currently, the Town of Avondale doesn’t have any agreements signed with RV parks or cabin areas outside the town limits. But that option is available if RV parks, or cabin areas wanted to reach out.”

He said the Town has contacted neighbouring RV parks, first in 2020, and twice since than, but no agreements have yet been reached.

“These parks should have a service agreement with a fire protection agency,” said Costello. “It doesn’t have to be Avondale. But these campers need to know either that they are protected, or they aren’t protected.”

Costello said park owners would have to meet with the Town and the department to work out an agreement, and the services provided would depend on the resources at Avondale’s disposal as well as road conditions.

“The number one priority remains the taxpayers of Avondale,” said Costello. “They cannot be left unattended.”

Should an agreement be reached, campers would be expected to pay a fire service fee to help cover the cost of equipment maintenance, fuel, insurance, and so forth. Fees would be set by the Town and collected directly through the Town.

“Right now, the taxpayers are paying these fees,” said Costello. “That’s why we need service agreements put in place before we can take these apparatuses outside of town.”

The department currently responds to accidents along the TCH from Salmonier Line to Roaches Line but does not cross the TCH.

Years ago, Avondale did serve Brigus Junction, but Costello said the agreement was not well defined and has since fallen to the wayside.

“Something has to be done,” said Costello. “It doesn’t need to be Avondale providing the service, but these areas should be serviced… I can’t imagine being in any of these nearby areas and calling for assistance, and being denied service because you’re in an area that doesn’t have a service agreement with these towns. But unfortunately, due to liability issues, you have to abide by all the procedures and policies that you have in place.”

The department currently boasts about 30 members, and a new pumper, valued at some $620,000, is on route and expected this fall.