The Silton Fire Department has resumed full operations following a shutdown earlier this fall that stemmed from a leadership and governance dispute, according to the Rural Municipality of McKillop. The RM confirmed the return of fire services in an update over the weekend, also announcing the lifting of a fire ban that had been in place since late August. The department’s return comes after months of uncertainty following the dismissal of two senior firefighters and the resignation of several volunteers. The dispute began back in August when longtime fire chief Corey Coons and deputy Trevor Leggett were removed from their positions. Coons raised concerns about the governance structure, funding transparency and conditions at a building used to store firefighting equipment. Silton Mayor Murray Wild said the decision to remove Coons and Leggett came after council found it increasingly difficult to work with them. Following their dismissal, several volunteer firefighters were locked out of the fire hall forcing the department to suspend operations. Neighbouring fire departments in Earl Grey and Lumsden were called in to provide emergency coverage during the shut down. The dispute continued into September when the department’s interim fire chief resigned. A meeting with locked-out firefighters failed to resolve the problems with several members walking out amid ongoing concerns about leadership and communication. The Village of Silton subsequently began recruiting new firefighters in an effort to restore services. While the department has now returned to full operations, it remains unclear whether the governance and funding issues that led to the shutdown have been resolved.
