HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville has signed a $2-million contract with the federal government to recoup the costs of hiring up to six fire departments during the G8 Summit in June.
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department has started talk with departments across the province to contract them for up to a week before, during and after the summit.
Security checkpoints in and around Huntsville mean there won’t be any easy access for fire
trucks in case of emergencies. That means trucks will have to be stationed around the municipality, said chief administrative officer Kelly Pender. “For example, Highway 60 will
be closed so we’ll be placing fire departments on the other side of Deerhurst (Resort, where the summit takes places).”
In addition to the external contracts, about 70-90 of Huntsville’s volunteer firefighters will be helping out.
Fire Chief Steve Hernen, who is vetting the applicants, could not be reached for comment before deadline.
The Town of Huntsville will receive back from the federal government only the money it spends, said Pender.