SOPHIE DEMERS
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

THORNE – The municipality of Thorne is now officially receiving fire and emergency services from the Shawville–Clarendon Fire Department. All parties have signed a three-year agreement outlining the services to be provided for $80,000 annually, with additional costs for certain services and equipment. Shawville began servicing Thorne on July 1.

The agreement states that the Shawville–Clarendon Fire Department will provide fire protection and emergency response services, including responding to car accidents, fires of all kinds, rescue operations, and the provision and management of equipment and personnel.

Thorne will remain responsible for maintaining its fire hall and equipment, as well as recruiting and training firefighters within the municipality.

Previously, Thorne was served by the Pontiac North Fire Department.

“This agreement has been in discussion for a while. It will allow us to work toward reviving our Thorne Fire Department,” said Mayor Karen Kelly. “The switch from Pontiac North is not a reflection of their service quality, but rather how the new agreement supports our long-term goals. We’ve already had five firefighters return to our service.”

Some residents have expressed concern that unlike Pontiac North, the Shawville–Clarendon Fire Department does not currently offer a first responder service. First responders are individuals trained to arrive before ambulances and provide critical care until paramedics arrive.

According to Caroline Gagné, Medical Lieutenant with Pontiac North, the department submitted a proposal to continue providing first responder services in Thorne, but the offer was declined.

Gagné said they are disappointed to no longer serve the area. “We often arrive before ambulances and want to continue providing a service that makes a difference during time-sensitive emergencies. A few minutes can have a major impact.”

Both Kelly and Shawville Fire Chief Lee Laframboise disagree. Kelly said ambulances typically arrive in Thorne before first responders and that the new arrangement is more sustainable.

Laframboise added that service quality will remain high and that he has full confidence in his department’s ability to respond quickly.

“We served Thorne for many years until recently. We are ready and equipped to meet the municipality’s needs,” said Laframboise.

“I’ve been in office for 25 years, and it’s extremely rare for first responders to arrive before ambulances in Thorne,” added Kelly. “The first responders do excellent work, but financially their proposal wasn’t feasible—especially when service quality is being maintained under the new agreement. Residents can rest assured they’ll continue to receive professional, reliable emergency services.”