Decreased Aid Provision on Mount Saint-Hilaire
Spiced-Up Dispatch:
Firefighters ditch Mount Saint-Hilaire rescue missions, slamming McGill University's "lack of responsibility" on trail safety.
Hey there, folks! On a more serious note, let's chat about the recent tussle between the firefighters and McGill University.
Two weeks ago, you probably wouldn't want to be on Mount Saint-Hilaire, dealing with a weakened faculties situation. Pierre-Damien Arel, general director of the Intermunicipal Fire Security Regime of the Richelieu Valley (RISIVR), spoke up: "We weren't facing a major catastrophe, no heavy medical cases - it's absurd we've had to haul out two soused individuals ourselves."
Since 1958, McGill University's Gault Nature Reserve, perched on Mount Saint-Hilaire, has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, traversing its lush 25-kilometer trail network. As a research station, it safeguards over 1000 hectares of pristine nature reserves.
RISIVR, charged with the fire security of Beloeil, McMasterville, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Otterburn Park, Saint-Basile-le-Grand, and Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, is now grumbling at McGill to "shoulder their part of the responsibility."
The firefighters are flustered due to the "slack" they've perceived in McGill's response. In light of this, they're demanding that the institution "pack its share of the duty" for public services.
"With their recreational-tourist activities, they're stirring up peril we can't ignore. We've taken too much on ourselves; it's about time we readjust the responsibilities," Arel stated, bristling with unhappiness.
From hereon, RISIVR will only maintain one team, comprising an officer and three firefighters, on Mount Saint-Hilaire, which they claim is the "bare minimum" necessary for public safety. They'll discontinue their GRIMP team, normally handling high-altitude rescues. "Others must step up - we're thinking of the Quebec Provincial Police, for instance, who'd be well-equipped for the task," Arel adds.
"Our territory experiences around 1200 emergency calls each year. That's our main priority," Arel concluded.
Almost half of the 50 summer operations on Mount Saint-Hilaire fall under RISIVR's jurisdiction, Arel disclosed, adding "that's a whole lot, and it's way too much." He attributes the decision to end the rescue services to months of ineffective discussions with McGill.
McGill University acknowledged the decision but fired back, stating that the public criticisms were misguided and unfairly cast blame upon them.
"We're not prepared to foot the bill for public security services that benefit the entire regional community," McGill retorted, explaining that it doesn't solely own the hilly terrain in the territory of the Regie and that it's unfair for them to shoulder the cost for intervention services.
The university saw their stance was fair, asserting that it had "acted in good faith and with open communication," expressing disappointment that their dialogue with firefighters hadn't led to productive discourse. To break the impasse, they agreed to "collaborate actively" with the City of Mont-Saint-Hilaire and its mayor, Marc-André Guertin, reassuring the public: "Rest assured, everything is being done to ensure the safety of those who visit the Gault Nature Reserve. The welfare of users remains our top priority."
As of now, it's uncertain who'll be stepping in for high-altitude rescue services on Mount Saint-Hilaire. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. For the latest news, keep an eye on local sources or reach out to the authorities directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- In the midst of a controversy, the firefighters of RISIVR, responsible for fire security in several municipalities, have halted their rescue missions on Mount Saint-Hilaire due to McGill University's perceived lack of responsibility towards trail safety.
- Amidst the ongoing dispute, the firefighters have called for McGill University to take its share of the responsibility in public services, as they believe the institution's recreational activities on the mountain are leading to increased danger, necessitating a redistribution of responsibilities.
