Friday, February 19, 2021

Sudbury’s Citizens Support Volunteer Firefighters for Valley East

CLAC's latest online campaign has captured the attention of Sudbury residents and sparked a city-wide debate

Sudbury, ON—Ahead of Sudbury city council’s February 23 decision whether Val Therese, Greater Sudbury Fire Station 16, will be a volunteer firefighter station or a composite station staffed primarily by full-time firefighters, an online campaign has captured the attention of residents and sparked a city-wide debate.

“Volunteer Firefighters: The Safe and Effective Choice for Valley East,” a digital advocacy campaign launched by CLAC earlier this week, is gaining speed, with more than 2,400 letters already sent to city council members and mayor Brian Bigger.

“The residents of Valley East and The City of Greater Sudbury have spoken: volunteer firefighters are the preferred, cost-effective way to keep our communities safe,” says Marc Morin, CLAC’s chief steward representing the volunteer firefighters across the City of Greater Sudbury. “These brave men and women who volunteer at great personal risk are trained to protect our residents, and are ready, willing, and able to do so. In addition, posting full-time firefighters at this station will cost Sudbury’s citizens more than $1 million annually, a blow that few taxpayers will readily support.”

Nineteen fire stations across the city are already operated exclusively by volunteers, illustrating their effectiveness and supporting the belief that they offer services that will meet, and in fact exceed, the fire protection requirements of Valley East.

To participate in CLAC’s campaign, visit clac.ca/volunteer before February 23 to send letters of support to city council.

Sudbury’s Citizens Support Volunteer Firefighters for Valley East

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