Police and Fire Services

Building a Safer Huntsville

Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. Everyone in Huntsville, residents and visitors alike, deserves to feel safe when in our community, and every first responder deserves the resources and support they need to serve our community effectively.

As your Ward Councillor, I will advocate around the council table to strengthen both our police and fire services by focusing on practical, community-driven solutions, like:

🚓 Working with the OPP Detachment Commander to ensure officers have a proactive and visible presence throughout the downtown core

🚓 Working with the Huntsville OPP Detachment Board Representative to ensure policing priorities reflect the increasing needs, concerns and complexities (such as mental health and addictions) of our community.

🚒 Supporting the Huntsville Fire Department's recommendation to replace the aging aerial ladder truck, ensuring firefighters have the equipment they need to respond safely and effectively.

🚒 Continuing to implement Huntsville's Fire Services Master Plan so our fire service can keep pace with the needs of our growing community.

Keeping our community safe isn't about making promises—it's about working collaboratively with our police officers, firefighters, Town staff, and residents to make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.

Together, we can continue building a Huntsville that is safe, prepared, and ready for the future.

I'd love to hear from you. What public safety issues matter most to you and your family?

#RylindForCouncil #Huntsville #HuntsvilleChaffey #PublicSafety #SupportOurFirstResponders #MunicipalElection2026

UPDATE: August 28th, 2026

🚒 My Vision for the Huntsville Fire Department

A key part of my campaign has been — and will continue to be — investing in and modernizing Huntsville's emergency services, with a major focus on the Huntsville Fire Department.

Fire services may not always be the loudest issue during an election, but they are one of the most important responsibilities of municipal government. When someone calls 911, they expect help to arrive quickly, safely, and with the equipment needed to do the job.

That's exactly what our firefighters deserve.

The Huntsville Fire Department does far more than fight fires. Every day, firefighters respond to motor vehicle collisions, medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, ice and water rescues, hazardous incidents, and countless other emergencies. They also provide mutual aid to neighbouring communities when they're needed most.

As Huntsville grows, our fire department must grow with it.

Here's what I'll advocate for:

🚨 A New 10-Year Fire Master Plan

The current Fire Master Plan was written in 2022 for the former Huntsville-Lake of Bays Fire Department. Since that partnership ended on July 1, 2026, Huntsville now has its own independent fire department, Huntsville Fire Department with new responsibilities and new realities.

It's time to review the plan from top to bottom and create a new roadmap that reflects the needs of the Huntsville Fire Department over the next decade.

🏗️ Planning for a New Fire Headquarters

Station One has served Huntsville well, but it's no longer built for the community we're becoming.

The current headquarters faces operational challenges, limited storage space, aging infrastructure, and site constraints that affect emergency response. We need to begin planning now for a modern headquarters before suitable land is no longer available.

A new station should be designed for the future—not just today's needs.

🏛️ A Smart Future for Station One

The 2022 Fire Master Plan recommended that Station One ultimately be declared surplus and disposed of once a new headquarters was built. I don't believe that decision should be automatic.

Before selling or redeveloping the property, Council should carefully evaluate whether Station One still has an important role to play in Huntsville's fire service.

A modern headquarters should become the department's primary operations centre, but Station One could potentially continue serving our community as a third fire station focused on the downtown core, improving response times in one of Huntsville's busiest areas while supporting future growth across town.

If the review shows the building can no longer safely or effectively serve that purpose, then we should have an honest conversation about its future. But we owe it to taxpayers to explore every practical option before disposing of a public asset.

👨‍🚒 Building a Modern Fire Service

Huntsville is growing, and emergency calls continue to increase.

I support planning for a fire station that is capable of supporting a career fire department, with full-time firefighters ready to respond immediately while continuing to rely on our dedicated volunteer firefighters when additional resources are needed.

This isn't about replacing volunteers—it's about ensuring Huntsville has the right model to meet growing service demands.

🚒 Replacing the Aging Aerial Fire Truck

The Fire Department has already identified replacing the aerial ladder truck as a priority.

This specialized truck is essential for fighting fires in multi-storey buildings, performing technical rescues, and protecting residents and firefighters during complex emergencies. Replacing it is an investment in public safety that cannot be delayed.

🤝 Exploring an Emergency Services Campus

The previous Fire Master Plan also recommended exploring a shared emergency services campus with the Ontario Provincial Police and Muskoka Paramedic Services.

I believe this idea deserves serious consideration. Planning together could improve coordination between first responders, create modern facilities for all three services, and potentially save taxpayers money over the long term by investing wisely instead of reacting later.

My Commitment

Investing in the Huntsville Fire Department is investing in public safety.

We owe it to our firefighters to provide modern equipment, safe facilities, and a long-term plan that prepares Huntsville for the future—not just the next budget year.

A growing community needs a growing fire service, and I'll continue to advocate for proactive investments that keep Huntsville safe for decades to come.