Belleville City Council received a lengthy report on Belleville Fire at a meeting of council on Monday.
The request for a report came from Councillor Paul Carr during the March 10 council meeting.
His request outlined a number of questions from the annual recruitment efforts for the rural component of the fire service, the total number of annual volunteer firefighter numbers by assigned station, the number of third pumper responses into the rural area, and many more.
The report provides answers from Belleville Fire Chief Dan Smith to each of the questions asked by Carr.
Data was pulled from March 2020 to March 2025, however, it was noted that in some instances, data was not available.
“The Fire Master Plan and the fire station relocation study made it abundantly clear that findings, particularly in relation to rural response times, were informed on significant data gaps and this is problematic when council should have a complete picture in determining service levels, which theoretically is within this whole purview of city council,” Carr explained to council.
“These studies have and continue to result in urban service creep, which has contributed to higher budgetary costs over time and subsequent increased tax impacts.”
Carr explained that council needs to be aware of the potential “urbanization creep” into the volunteer area.
“That’s where my concern lies, and it is important that city council see the big picture, versus making decisions in piecemeal or isolation, only realizing the impact much after the fact,” Carr said.
“Taxpayers expect the prudent and efficient use of their tax dollars.”
There were no staff recommendations provided with the report. Council voted only to receive it.
You can read the full report at the City of Belleville’s website.
