City staff are recommending common council hire a third party consultant to carry out a ‘value for money review’ of the Saint John fire department. Council has already approved hiring consultants, Risk Management Services, to conduct a 40 thousand dollar baseline assessment of the fire protection needs and options for reducing the costs.
In a report to council, staff say a third party consultant should be hired to lend credibility to the review. Staff are also recommending council set up a steering committee–and–that the review be completed by the end of May. The fire department’s budget is highest in the province at 20.3 million dollars. The issue is up for discussion during tonight’s council meeting.
