The Municipality of Huron East is hoping to advance discussions on a new paramedic station, as it also explores building a centre that would combine fire services and public works.
Last year, a third-party review of Huron County's paramedic services resulted in a recommendation to move the Tuckersmith station located on Kinburn Line into Seaforth to improve response times.
Mayor Bernie McLellan asked Huron County Council if those discussions would move ahead, as his council is in the early stages of looking at a new Fire Hall and Public Works building.
"We are just starting discussions with our council, but if EMS wanted to be part of the overall construction, it might be cheaper for everybody in the long run to build one larger facility," he said. "I suspect that would be quite similar to what Central Huron has for their operation, but I'm just wondering how I would get that discussion going."
CAO Meighan Wark said with budget discussions wrapped up, a terms of reference report on the new station should come to council in April.
Huron East council received a report from staff this week that suggested consolidating Fire Services with Public Works could move up the timeline for a new station. Originally, the financial strategy targeted 2037 for a new facility.
Staff estimated roughly $4.86 million would be needed for the facility after the sale of the current lands for each department, with Fire able to fully fund its half of a 20-year debenture immediately, and Public Works able to do so by 2029.
