Callander renews dispatching services agreement

Mar. 10, 2024, Callander, Ont. – Callander is drawing up a by-law to enter into a new agreement for municipal fire dispatch service. The five-year agreement is with the town’s current provider, the North Bay Central Ambulance Communication Centre (CACC), which is operated by the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

The current contract ends on March 31, so the renewal is timely. There will be no interruption of 9-1-1 service. Last year, dispatching services cost $4,500. This year, that rises to $4,800. By 2029, the cost will increase to $6,300.

The CACC covers a large swath of land, around 60,000 square kilometers, from the northern edge of Timiskaming District to the southernmost points of Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts. The operation receives and dispatches calls with 19 ambulances, six first response teams, and 21 volunteer fire departments – out of 39 stations – ready to go.

Overall, there are 57 fire departments in CACC’s coverage area, Callander included. Twenty-one of these have tiered response agreements with EMS that are managed and notified through the CACC, and 21 departments are dispatched directly by CACC operators.

Callander’s municipal staff looked into other service providers and found fees ranging between $12,000 to $15,000 per year. Callander has contracted service from CACC for the past 14 years.