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When a local fire department experiences an emergency that exceeds their own resources, they will call on a neighboring fire department for assistance.
This sharing of resources, such as fire fighters and equipment, is only done when there is no risk to the responding fire department’s current local situation.
There is often a “Mutual Aid Agreement” document that outlines the logistics of involvement in a local situation. Such things may include defining who is in charge at the scene and how to handle any claims.
Mutual Aid does have several additional benefits outside of emergency situations. Namely, a common bond of friendship develops between local Fire Departments.
Annual training events can also be carried out more effectively, because overall costs can be minimized. When several Fire Departments participate, they bring in larger numbers of fire fighters, thus allowing for improved training programs.
And realizing that a request for emergency assistance could occur any day, Fire Departments want to maintain peak performance. One way they do this, is with periodic reconnaissance and upgrade of their equipment, apparatus and human resources.
For additional information, see the details listed on the Leeds Grenville Fire Service website.
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