Residents Educated About Emergency sirens

2009-05-06

07:46:37

FORT SIRENS 2

Emergency personnel want residents to better understand the purpose of the monthly siren tests in Fort Frances.

During the first Wednesday of every month at 2 p-m, the sirens are sounded. Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service Fire chief Gerry Armstrong says the sirens were set up to alter citizens of an immediate danger.

"For the most part, that would be in the event of an approaching wind storm, or perhaps a transportation or industrial accident, that would be considered an immediate threat to people's health," says Armstrong.

Armstrong says when the do sirens sound, residents should tune to B-93 for further information, even during the testing, and refrain from calling emergency personnel unless absolutely necessary.

"Please do not contact local police, fire or ambulance, unless you have an emergency, because they're going to be busy doing a whole number of things. We want to ensure people the information will be coming through the radio station, B-93, and just stay tuned to that."

Chambers Expands Board of Directors

2009-05-06

07:44:06

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is expanding its board of directors

The chamber recently voted to add another three seats to its board. President Cathy Emes says two will be for representatives from the Sunset Country Metis Association and outlying first nations.

"Couchiching already has an appointed seat," says Emes, "but we wanted to open it up to other first nation communities so we can all work together to improve and maintain the quality of life that we have in this area."

The third ensures a spot at the table for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation

New Cell Services Poised to Go On-line

2009-05-06

07:40:31

Cell phone users in the Rainy River District will soon have some additional choice as to their provider.

Dryden Municipal Telephone System has been conducting tests to bring the Roger's service to the area. General Manager Peter Gillis says existing Rogers customers will likely be the first to access the system by the end of this month.

"We've also gone down the road with Bell Canada to interface into the 807 exchanges to get local calling in the Fort Frances and Atikokan areas," says Gillis. "That's scheduled to be completed the week of May 18. When that's completed, we can actually activate the site in Fort Frances and the Rogers' roamers can get service.

Gillis says they won't fully launch the service and open dealers elsewhere in the district until sometime in June and July when other cell towers come on line.