Four municipalities team up for stronger fire service
Mélissa Gélinas
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on July 2, 2025.
MRC PONTIAC – A merger of fire safety services between four Pontiac municipalities
— Campbell’s Bay, Litchfield, L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet, and Bryson—took effect on July 1.
The consolidation is part of a new intermunicipal agreement. Under the plan, Bryson
and L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet will now fall under the administration of the Campbell’s Bay
–Litchfield fire service.
The goal is to strengthen response capacity while ensuring full compliance with the Quebec government’s fire risk coverage requirements. Each municipality will be expected to meet provincial standards uniformly, including response times, firefighter mobilization, training, access to appropriate equipment, and prevention and inspection measures.
According to Kevin Kluke, director of fire services and fire chief for Campbell’s Bay, the new collaboration will significantly increase the number of available firefighters. “Campbell’s Bay has 25 firefighters, while Bryson and L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet have around 20, bringing the total to 45,” said Kluke.
He added that there will be no operational changes, so residents don’t need to worry. “Bryson and L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet will continue to operate independently for smaller calls, just like Campbell’s Bay and Litchfield,” Kluke explained. “If there’s a [larger] fire in the region, we’ll have enough vehicles to support each other in the event of a second call,” he added.
Despite the many benefits of the merger, Kluke acknowledged there will be challenges.
“I think the firefighters are a bit anxious about working together, even though they’ve
done it before,” he said. “I hope that within a year or two, they’ll become first responders, because that would make a big difference for the people of Bryson and L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet.”
Financial resources and costs will be shared equally among the four municipalities.
“A chartered accountant helped us plan everything so that Campbell’s Bay and Litchfield cover 50% of the expenses, and Bryson and L’Île-du-Grand-Calumet cover the other 50%,” said Kluke.
