Clearview council has received the final draft of a Master Fire Plan prepared on behalf of the Clearview Fire Department.

The Master Fire Plan is a strategic blueprint for fire protection that addresses all local needs and circumstances based upon costs the community can afford. The master fire plan is a framework for municipal decision-making which should link council policy setting responsibility and the fire service operational expertise to accommodate short, medium or long term planning, reported Fire Chief Colin Shewell.

“The reason for embarking on this project was to assist the current Council with a vision for the future and assist the new 2014 council with guidance and information regarding the short and long term goals of the fire department,” writes Shewell.

It’s a 10-year plan, intended to be updated every five years.

The plan was completed by Fire Protection Survey Services at a fee of $20,000.

Overall, the fire department was found to be well managed and generally very well organized, states the report.

The plan contains a number of recommendations about staffing changes, facility upgrades and equipment.

“We strongly recommend that none of the fire stations continue to be designated an emergency evacuation centre, and rather the use be made of community centres where far better facilities are available to accommodate them,” states the report.

Shewell said implementing any of the recommendations in the future will be based on needs, circumstances and what the municipality can afford.