Village cancels its fire contract

JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

HEUVELTON — The village has canceled an automatic response agreement with the Ogdensburg Fire Department and will follow St. Lawrence County's mutual aid plan for responding to emergencies.

Village officials said the change won't affect emergency response readiness.

"It's simply Heuvelton desiring to follow a countywide response protocol that's safe, effective and proven to be in the best interests of the city, town and village," said village Mayor Barbara A. Lashua.

Under the agreement the village had with the city since 1989, the Ogdensburg Fire Department could respond to emergencies in Heuvelton without first being called to assist. The agreement ensured the department would be insured if responding to the calls outside its jurisdiction.

Without the deal, the Ogdensburg Fire Department is liable for damages under the county mutual aid plan if it responds to a call without being asked to assist, according to Ogdensburg Fire Chief Steven M. Badlam.

"It's a sad situation," Mr. Badlam said during a City Council meeting this week. "It doesn't make any sense to me."

City councilors said they feared if the Ogdensburg department has to wait to be called before acting on an emergency, it could mean the difference between saving or losing a business just outside of the city limits.

The village mayor disagreed.

"Mutual aid assistance can be requested within seconds. This simply makes it clear how emergency response will occur," Mrs. Lashua said of the county's mutual aid plan. "I am confident in it."

Heuvelton Assistant Fire Chief Daniel M. Basford said the old agreement made sense before improvements in communications made calling for help faster and easier.

"I can get Ogdensburg fire rolling to anything in 30 seconds," Mr. Basford said. "Every chief in Heuvelton has a radio in their truck. There is no reason to keep the agreement in effect."