Volunteer firefighters in Markstay-Warren say they have been harassed by local councillor

Volunteer firefighters in Markstay-Warren say they have had enough of what they call unfair public scrutiny from a local municipal councillor.

On Monday night, they presented council with what they termed a 'no confidence' letter, outlining the issues in the past year involving Coun. Francine Bérubé.

They want Bérubé removed from the emergency services committee.

A fire call the Monday night prevented most of the 48 firefighters from being at the meeting when the letter was read by new volunteer firefighter Danielle Geneaux.

Just two others were in the gallery with her.

"Please accept this letter of no confidence regarding the actions and intent to intimidate and harass the volunteer firefighters of Markstay-Warren by Coun. Bérubé that has been ongoing for a year now," Geneaux said.

The letter said Bérubé told several firefighters they weren’t allowed to be on council. She also attended a fire scene to demand the fire captain be fired, the letter said, and made false claims fire trucks were responding to calls in Greater Sudbury.

"Ms. Bérubé continues month-after-month to attack the fire department and its credentials," the letter said.

"Volunteers see this lack of support and harassment towards the fire department has proven to be detrimental to our operations."

The video of the meeting showed Bérubé responding, but her microphone is not audible. But she is visibly animated and angry.

Threatened legal action

At one point, she threatened legal action against Mayor Steven Olsen when he called for decorum.

CTV attempted to reach Bérubé for comment but did not hear back.

The Markstay-Warren Volunteer Firefighters Association wants council to address what they describe as continuous harassment.

"Everything's just been so negative," said vice-president Scott Simon.

"She doesn't want to do nothing for us, and it just seems like she wants to bury us."

Simon said Bérubé posts on Facebook and those posts have affected morale among the volunteers. It's all any of them can talk about when they meet Tuesday evenings for training.

He said the volunteers include those who have decades of experience, while about half are new. Simon has been with the department 33 years.

“It's totally up to the council, what they decide," Simon said.

Up to council to decide

"We just brought (the letter) forward for them to look at and let them decide what needs to be done."

A fire tanker from the mid-90s, which is based out of Markstay, is one of those issues. The vehicle broke down several weeks ago. Simon said it would take about $13,000 to repair or the department could lease a new one for $400,000-600,000.

Simon said Bérubé has told them a second tanker isn’t needed, but he said even at the call Monday night, a second tanker would have been helpful.

Mayor Olsen didn’t want to criticize his fellow councillor, stating he must remain neutral. But he did have high praise for the firefighters’ work.

"They give their heart and souls to … saving people's live," he saids.

"I know several of the (firefighters) and kudos to them on the amazing work that they do."

Now that Markstay-Warren has received the no confidence letter, each councillor will have a chance to submit questions to the Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Council can’t address the issue between the firefighters and Bérubé until that report is presented back to council, likely sometime in the new year.