in Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes

One is under an RCMP G8 investigation; the other is running for mayor.

The fire chiefs of Muskoka’s two largest brigades are in hot water that’s boiling now.

Before the G8, Huntsville Chief Steve Hernen allegedly gave his security pass to assistant Chief Gary Monahan. That was reported to the town and he was reassigned to desk duty, pending a full investigation. The town also named Monahan as interim chief.

Now the Mounties are joining with the town to investigate.

Mayor Claude Doughty, who just announced he is seeking his first re-election, says the town is standing behind their man until the matter is resolved.

Meanwhile, on June 29, the town says it received two threatening phone calls from anonymous people claiming to be members of the municipal fire service demanding the immediate reinstatement of Hernen.

On July 5 two district chiefs went to the media with their concerns without speaking to the mayor, council or CAO first.

Council met in closed session that day and remain committed to providing Hernen with all due process, including a full and independent investigation of the alleged security breach.

On July 8, a meeting was held between Doughty, CAO Kelly Pender and the officers of Station 1 and Station 3 Port Sydney. The meeting was to open communications and address some of the fire department’s concerns. Doughty and Pender further clarified the situation and said communications will continue between the parties on a regular basis, says a town press release.

All parties have agreed to move forward and continue to support Hernen as the investigation continues. The fire department and the mayor would like to reassure the public that Huntsville Fire Service will continue to be provided at the high standard the community is accustomed to.

In Muskoka Lakes Township, the firing by council of Chief Jim Sawkins has raced through the community like a five-alarm fire, with accusations and counter attacks burning up phone lines and email faster than the Olympic flame came through Muskoka.

“It’s divided the firefighters and broken up friendships,” said an emotional Walker’s Point firefighter George Becker who quit.

He blames acting chief Jim Schneider, who is new on the job.

Sawkins was fired and council hasn’t said why, though some speculate a division exists between some of the 10 stations. While others say Sawkins, overspent his boundaries by demanding too many improvements and bringing the 175 volunteer firefighters’ pay to more than $20 per hour per call.

A firefighters’ protest last month led to the eventual firing and then a threatened walkout by the firefighters, which resulted in only a handful handing in pagers and others taking leaves.

Former mayor Susan Pryke even got involved from her new home in Australia, seeming to support Sawkins, who is running for mayor now. Pryke told the ex-fire chief that while she was in office, she had known certain councillors weren’t in his camp.

Mayor Susan Ellis, who took over when Pryke stepped down midterm last year, says there was a real lack of communication between council, the fire chief and the fire department. She said this needs to be improved and that it will continue to be worked at. “We’re all part of a team - we’re all working together for the betterment of the community.”

Firefighters in both Huntsville and Muskoka Lakes continue to work in varying degrees of work-to-rule.

Gravenhurst and Bracebridge firefighters are on added standby this summer as part of Muskoka’s district mutual aid program.