Chief Chesebrough brought the 2019 Fire Department Annual Report to the Committee of the Whole, a complete look at the 2019 calendar year for the Smiths Falls Fire Department. The Department employs six full-time and 18 volunteer firefighters, protects 13600 people, and 7924 buildings. In 2019, the Fire Dept received 4.6 calls/day (both emergency and non-emergency). They offered their first public CPR and defibrillator course, and hired six new volunteer firefighters.
Councillor Brennan congratulated Chief Chesebrough on his first annual report, noting that Smiths Falls is being well served by the Fire Dept. He particularly praised the fact that the department reached 3800 people face-to-face in fire prevention education. Chief Chesebrough noted that the public responded positively to offers of training and education. Councillor Allen inquired about the impact of Covid-19 on spreading the fire prevention message in 2020. Chief Chesebrough acknowledged that Covid-19 has certainly affected their ability to spread fire safety awareness, but assured council that even if the Sparky suit isn’t seen around town, the Fire Department is still providing schools with materials to instruct children in fire prevention and safety. They have also been reaching out to businesses, and bringing them into the fire hall for fire extinguisher training and fire safety sessions.