ARICHAT - A delegation from the Strait Area Mutual Aid Association (SAMAA), which takes in fire departments from all four counties that serve the Strait of Canso area, is making a pitch for Richmond Municipal Council to consider increased collaboration to ensure that these emergency responders are properly able to carry out their duties. 

Appearing before council's Committee of the Whole meeting for December were SAMAA president Jim Kavanaugh, who is also the chief of the Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department, and three members of the West Bay Road Volunteer Fire Department that serve on the organization's executive - vice-president Paul Shears, secretary Bobby MacEachern and treasurer Carol Anne MacInnis. 

Following their presentation, Richmond Warden Amanda Mombourquette pledged to direct municipal staff to investigate potential means of assistance to the SAMAA. These include potential cost-sharing for dry hydrants, which are in short supply across Richmond County and currently only exist in two county communities. The association's member fire departments are often forced to share a hydrant with a neighbouring mutual aid association in Sydney, Kavanaugh added.