Kingsville Fire Department Shifts Focus to Shore Rescues
The Municipality of Kingsville has officially terminated its boat rescue service following a council decision made on November 3, 2025. The Kingsville Fire Department will now concentrate exclusively on shore-based ice and water rescue operations.
This significant change was detailed in an administrative report presented to councillors, which highlighted that primary jurisdiction for marine rescue on the lakes falls to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Canadian Coast Guard. These operations are coordinated through the national Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton.
Financial and Operational Challenges Lead to Decision
The report outlined substantial financial hurdles preventing the continuation of the service. The capital cost to purchase a larger, necessary vessel and trailer was estimated at approximately $250,000. On top of this, annual operating and certification costs for a 12-member team would add roughly $64,000 per year, as explained by Fire Chief Scott Moore.
Beyond the financial burden, the department faced operational challenges. “Given current staffing levels and competing training demands, the ongoing discipline cannot be reliably maintained to the standard expected for marine operations,” the report stated. Chief Moore emphasized that these requirements could not be met with existing resources.
Low Call Volume and Operational History
The decision was also influenced by the relatively low demand for the service. Since 2020, the fire department has responded to only six marine calls. Of these, the rescue boat was launched just three times. The service history included one incident where the boat capsized and another where a rescue was aborted before entering the water.
With the boat rescue service discontinued, water rescue responses will be handled by the OPP, typically based in Leamington, and the auxiliary coast guard, known as the Guardian Marine Rescue, based in Colchester.
Kingsville Shifts to Paper Ballots for 2026 Election
In a separate but related decision on the same day, Kingsville council unanimously voted to adopt traditional in-person voting with paper ballots for the 2026 municipal election. Votes will be counted using an optical scan vote tabulator.
An administration report noted that this move aligns Kingsville with neighbouring municipalities like Amherstburg, Essex, Lakeshore, and Leamington, which all use paper ballots. In contrast, LaSalle and Tecumseh utilize internet and/or telephone voting. Historically, Kingsville has conducted elections largely by mail, sometimes supplemented by internet or telephone voting. The report endorsed optical scan tabulators for their efficiency, accuracy, and ability to deliver timely results.
