Fire chief in Cumberland County says district will be without fire service this winter

The fire chief in Shinimicas, on Nova Scotia'snorth shore, says bureaucracy is holding up construction of a new fire hall to replace one that burned down in April.

He saidit means there will be no fire coverage for the district this winter.

"As soon as the freeze happens we are going to be pretty much out of service," said Jesse Brine, the department's chief.

The fire destroyed the fire hall and trucks that were inside.

Fire departments in Bridgewater and Hantsportlent trucks to Shinimicas but, with winter weather approaching, the trucks will likely soon be gone.

"We don't have any structure in place to put those trucks in," said Brine. "There's been talk from the departments that are lending us those trucks that they'll be taking them back and I don't blame them."

Almost four months went by before Brine and his deputy chief were invited to make a presentation before the Municipality of Cumberland.

A motion was put forward to move ahead with the design and tender for the fire hall project with up to $770,000 to be funded through insurance proceeds and long-term debt.

Joe van Vulpen, the areacouncillor, said a new structure is coming before the end of the year.

Councillor says community will have service

"We have a few things that need to be finalized," said van Vulpen, who is not reoffering in the upcoming municipal election.

"But we can't do much until the proceeds start coming through to purchase the materials and there's wells and septic and a lot of things that need to be put in place, engineering plans and electrical plans and those things can't be done overnight."

Van Vulpen saidthe district will never be without coverage, even if the Shinimicas department loses thetrucks. He said the area will be covered off by neighbouring departments that willstretch their coverage areas.

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