St. Marys Town Council has unanimously approved a plan to upgrade the fire station.
The project to modernize the 55-year-old facility was approved by council on Tuesday, and is aimed at improving health and safety conditions for the department’s crew of volunteer firefighters.
The projected cost of the fire hall renovation is $3.1 million which will be funded with a loan, public donations, development charges and existing reserves. Savings found through a 2019 efficiency review will be applied to the project’s loan payments, meaning there will be no increase to this year’s municipal tax levy related to the renovation.
The upgraded station will include new, gender-neutral showers, washrooms and change areas where crew members can clean up after attending accidents and emergencies.
It will also feature expanded storage where firefighters can safely sanitize and dry their gear, as well as upgraded ventilation systems to remove excess vehicle exhaust and gasses from the building.
The renovation will also expand the building’s footprint to ensure the department has space to grow and accommodate future needs.
Work on the fire hall is expected to get underway in April and should be completed late this fall. All fire operations and staff will be moved to the nearby Municipal Operations Centre for the duration of the project.
There will be no impact on the fire department response times while the work is being done.
Design and layout changes, like moving the bay doors to face James Street, will allow emergency vehicles to leave the station in a safer and more efficient manner. Other upgrades will include a new emergency generator and communications tower.
“Our firefighters regularly put themselves at risk to protect our residents,” said St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee. “This project will ensure they have the space, tools and equipment they need to keep our community safe, now and in the future.”
“Everything in the fire service is expanding - the vehicles are getting larger, more equipment is required - and the responsibilities of firefighters are increasing, too,” said Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson. “This new facility will address the growing needs of the department and the communities of St. Marys and Perth South.”
