Council sets new direction for Grimsby Fire Services after third-party review

At a Special Council Meeting on December 3, 2025, Grimsby Council received EMG Consulting’s review of the recent joint fire services pilot between Grimsby and Lincoln. After careful consideration, Council has accepted several recommendations to strengthen Grimsby’s fire services — including the key recommendation to conclude the shared Fire Chief agreement at this time.

Both Grimsby and Lincoln Council emphasized that while shared services can offer meaningful benefits, the review showed that now is not the right time to move forward. This decision leaves the door open to future collaboration, while giving both departments space to focus on strengthening their own service models.

With this direction, Grimsby will transition back to a stand-alone Fire Department. Over the coming months, the Town will develop a detailed transition plan to support a smooth and efficient return to this model.

Council extends it’s sincere thanks to Fire Chief Greg Hudson for his leadership throughout the pilot and recognizes Deputy Chief Kay along with the entire Grimsby Fire team for their professionalism and dedication throughout this process.

As the Town looks ahead to 2026, efforts will focus on implementing the review’s recommendations and ensuring the Grimsby Fire Department remains well-positioned to meet the community’s needs now and into the future.

To view the final recommendation report, visit

www.grimsby.ca/fireservicesreport

Quotes

“Our priority is ensuring that the Town of Grimsby continues to receive exceptional fire protection and emergency response services. Council carefully reviewed the findings of the third-party assessment, and we believe that returning to a stand-alone Fire Department at this time is the best path forward for our community. We are grateful to all staff who contributed to the pilot and remain committed to building a strong, responsive, and future-focused fire service for the residents of Grimsby.”

- Jeff Jordan, Mayor at the Town of Grimsby.

“Both Grimsby and Lincoln remain committed to exploring opportunities that strengthen our respective fire service delivery models. While shared services continue to offer practical, long-term potential, we recognize that this is not the right moment to proceed. Our focus now is on ensuring a smooth transition back to a stand-alone department and implementing the recommendations that will help our fire service continue to meet the needs of the community today and into the future”

- Sarah Kim, Chief Administrative Officer at the Town of Grimsby.

“The shared service pilot provided valuable insight into our strengths and areas for improvement, giving us a clearer understanding of what each community needs to maintain strong, reliable fire protection. Public safety remains our top priority, and the report’s recommendations offer a clear path to strengthen our departments, support our firefighters, and meet the needs of our growing communities. Both Grimsby and Lincoln have dedicated teams, and I support the recommendation, as it enhances stability, improves response capabilities, and ensures our firefighters have the leadership and resources they need.”

- Deputy Chief Kay, Grimsby Fire Department

Media Contact:

Christina Davidson

Communications Specialist

cdavidson@grimsby.ca | 905-945-9634