Sarnia councillors expressed concern Monday and called for full emergency response to be restored.
City staff have been directed to pursue full resumption of an agreement made with the County of Lambton in 2014.
The protocol was modified at the beginning of the pandemic with the Sarnia fire service being dropped from some calls through the Wallaceburg Central Ambulance Communications Centre.
Councillor Mike Stark suggested a level of contempt is being shown.
"I would hope that this is simply an administrative level degree of what I would call a contempt of a previous agreement, and if that's the case, I can accept the fact that this may have been an administrative problem, but I really have a problem if this is coming from the executive at the administrative level of Lambton County," said Stark.
Councillor Bill Dennis shared Stark's concerns.
"I believe, and I suspect, most people in the community would believe that more emergency service is always better than less emergency service," said Dennis. "How could anyone argue with that perspective, especially since we are talking about the possible critical life and death situations here."
Dennis said while he understands the impact from COVID-19, the community needs to trust professionals within the municipalities to maintain safety protocols.
"Lets face it, our new pandemic world has taken a lot away from our citizens, so as long as our professionals tell us they can handle it, how can we possibly also take away the option of additional emergency services for our citizens."
Councillor Brian White expressed hope a mutually beneficial agreement can be found.
"I mean, increased service in potentially life-or-death situations is always more beneficial than less service, but I do think that there's a greater conversation that needs to continue to happen," said White. "I respect the chief's decision on this to reinstate service and I understand the county's position in regards to wanting to maintain equity amongst their peers, across other municipalities with the current COVID restriction."
White said a report from the county's perspective will be shared in committee Wednesday afternoon.
Under the modified response, Sarnia Fire & Rescue has not been required to attend motor vehicle collisions where Lambton EMS has been dispatched, calls where vital signs are absent or an individual is unresponsive or unconscious, or calls requesting paramedics for assistance.