Twin Saults to review rare cross-border firefighting arrangement

Officials from the Ontario and Michigan Saults are expected to review a rare international mutual aid pact for fire service emergency responses next week.

Renewing the 1984 agreement is on the agenda for a joint meeting Monday of Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) city council and Sault Ste. Marie (Michigan) city commission.

"The two countries are separated by the border but are joined by this agreement and the activities of fire suppression, rescue and emergency response," says Peter Johnson, the Ontario Sault's fire chief.

"The agreement is activated when aid is required in the form of additional apparatus or staff for emergency service operations," Johnson says in a report prepared for Monday's meeting, which will take place at the Michigan Sault's city hall at 225 East Portage Ave.

From 1998 to 2022, Ontario Sault firefighters have gone across the river seven times, most recently in June, 2015.

"Typically, one apparatus staffed with fire crew has responded," Johnson says.

"In the event either city requires assistance, this agreement will provide the necessary means to ensure an approved process is in place ahead of the emergency."

A similar mutual aid agreement has existed informally since the 1960s between Sarnia, Ont. and Port Huron, Mich.

It was formalized during the 1980s.

Earlier this year, Port Huron firefighters crossed the Blue Water Bridge with a ladder truck to fight a fire in the upper level of a Sarnia retirement home.

Port Huron city manager James Freed told the Times-Herald newspaper it was the second time in eight years that he could remember a request for cross-border mutual aid.

"This is about being good neighbours," Freed said. "The agreement is one of the unique things about our region. We truly are an international community."

Also on the agenda for Monday's joint meeting:

• Sault Ste. Marie Michigan project update
• Sault Ste. Marie Michigan Convention and Visitors Bureau update
• Sault Ste. Marie Ontario tourism update
• International Bridge Administration
• Cruise the Great Lakes update
• key exchange
• Algoma Steel electric arc furnace
• downtown plaza
• new downtown farmers market
• Queen Street rejuvenation
• industrial land sales
• economic development strategic plan
• cross-border co-operation
• $60 million investment in Station Mall
• retail development on Great Northern Road (Princess Auto, Winners/ Home Sense)
• Wellington Square Mall revitalization (now called the Shoppes on Transcanada)
• 107-unit apartment building under construction with Royal Canadian Legion and Sal-Dan Developments
• strong focus on housing development from federal and provincial governments with new incentives expected to spur new construction

Monday's special joint meeting of the Ontario Sault's city council and the Michigan Sault's city commission will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.