Collingwood Council has turned down a request by Fire Chief Trent Elyea that would have seen the town increase the number of full time firefighters by four. Elyea made his proposal to council as a part of the town's 2010 budget process. In speaking to council, Elyea stated that because of holidays and sick time, only four firefighters often arrive initially at a fire and this situation doesn't allow the crew to attack the building's interior until more firefighters arrive at the scene. In addition, the chief was looking ahead to a time in the near future where he thinks an additional fire hall will be needed for the town. Elyea feels that it would be wise to add new firefighters on a gradual basis.

Elyea was proposing that the town hire four new full-time firefighters and an administration person to be in place for the final six months of 2010 at a projected cost of slightly more than $122 thousand dollars.

The vote was tied, meaning the vote was a lost vote. Mayor Chris Carrier and Councilors Kathy Jeffery, Dave Labelle and Sonny Foley voted in favour of hiring the new firefighters while Councilors Tim McNabb, Norm Sandberg, Mike Edwards and Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper voted against. Councillor Ian Chadwick was absent from the meeting where the vote took place.