Shelburne County Fire Departments Concerned About Unreliable Telephone Service

Two Shelburne County fire departments are facing a critical issue with their telephone service that could potentially jeopardize their ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. The departments, located in rural communities near Shelburne, N.S., have been experiencing frequent service interruptions due to aging copper lines that are in desperate need of an upgrade.

Members of the Harbour Fire Department in North East Harbour, including Sheree Smith, have expressed their concerns about the unreliable phone and paging systems that have been failing them when they need them the most. Smith, who is a medical first responder, highlighted the importance of having a functional pager system for quick emergency response.

During a two-month period in the spring, the Harbour Fire Department was left without a working landline, rendering their pagers useless. This left them in a vulnerable position, as timely communication is crucial in emergency situations. Without a reliable paging system, the dispatcher had to resort to contacting department members via cellphone, which proved to be challenging due to poor reception in the area.

Bell Canada technicians have provided temporary fixes in the past, but Smith is advocating for a permanent solution by replacing the copper lines with fibre optic cables. However, Bell has been hesitant to make the switch, citing a phased copper decommissioning effort that prioritizes residential customers over businesses like the fire departments.

Despite reaching out to municipal council for assistance, the fire departments are still waiting for a resolution from Bell. Warren MacLeod, chief administrative officer of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, emphasized the importance of clear communication in emergencies and urged Bell to prioritize the issue.

Danny Holmes, fire chief of the Middle and Upper Ohio Fire Department, expressed doubts about Bell’s willingness to address the problem promptly. He highlighted instances where it took days for technicians to respond to issues that required immediate attention.

As the fire departments continue to navigate the challenges posed by unreliable telephone service, they remain hopeful for a permanent solution. In the meantime, they are doing their best to manage the situation and respond to emergencies as efficiently as possible.

For more information and updates on this ongoing issue, stay tuned to our WordPress platform for future developments.