Kukagami campers celebrate 30 years of co-operation

BY BILL BRADLEY

Owning rural or wilderness property can be a challenge.

Being organized in an association or property owners group helps a lot, said Alice Shaw, vice president of the Kukagami Campers Association.

"The value of belonging to an association like ours is that it promotes co-operation and voices your concerns," said Shaw.

The non-profit organization was founded in 1978 and represents 360 members from Ashigami, Bugg, Kukagami, Matagamasi, and Portage lakes, plus the eastern shore of Wahnapitae Lake. The current president is Stan MacLeod.
The organization represents homeowners, cottagers and tourist operators.

A major challenge is to ensure that crucial services like fire protection are in place to protect people's lives and property, said Shaw.

More than 40 volunteers assist to fight fires.

"They are the First Response Team to handle any fires in our remote areas. We also work with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the City of Greater Sudbury Fire Department to educate residents and volunteers in fire safety and prevention," said Shaw.

Usually the fire brigade responds to five or six fires in a warm summer, she said.

This summer, because of the rain, the only fire so far was on the road two weeks ago when a truck caught fire, said Shaw.

"After the vehicle caught fire, the bush nearby started on fire too. Three people in the vehicle were lucky to get out unscathed," said Shaw

"Within 10 minutes, six members of our fire brigade responded. It took one hour for the Markstay-Warren Fire Department to arrive and 45 minutes for the Ministry of Natural Resources to appear to put out the bush fire," she said.
Fire suppression is well organized, said Shaw.

Sheds with portable, gas-fired pumps and hoses are located at 16 various locations on the lakes represented.

In the past, when sauna stove fires or grass fires grew out of control, up to 10 members have responded in a matter of minutes, said Shaw.

The group also prepares directional signs to help fire, police or emergency services locate emergency calls. A $3,000 de-fibrilator was purchased for the Sportman's Lodge on Kukagami Lake after lobbying by the association. The equipment can re-start a person's heart if a heart attack occurs. There are plans for two more units for Ashagami and Matagamasi lakes. Many members are trained in first aid and the association pays for half the cost of the course.

The group has a neighbourhood watch committee.

"If anyone suspicious is seen, the camper will phone the co-ordinator who then assesses the call. They then will alert police," said Shaw.

There is also a roads and road cleaning committees, a water quality group, an emergency measures committee, a recreation and leisure committee, as well as a rescue search group. In addition, a steering committee was formed to try to block the implementation of a provincial park nearby that would include their private property within park boundaries. A forest committee works with forestry stakeholders to maintain input into forest activities that affect them.