Latest news with #firestation
CBC
22-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Dozens more firefighters, new stations needed says review of Moncton Fire Department
A review of Moncton's fire department calls for hiring dozens more firefighters, opening a sixth fire station and relocating three stations. The Emergency Management Group's review, commissioned by the city and presented to council Monday, has 64 recommendations. City staff estimate implementing them could cost $200 million over 15 years. The report comes after years of the union representing the city's firefighters raising the alarm about staffing levels barely increasing since the 1970s as the city's population and skyline have grown. Jeremy Quillian, president of Moncton Firefighters Association IAFF Local 999, said the recommendations could address the stress and workload firefighters face. "We'll take any staff that we can get right now because at the end of the day, it will mean better services for the citizens of Moncton," Quillian told reporters Monday evening. There are 22 firefighters on duty per shift, below the 38 a National Fire Protection Association standard says should be part of an initial response to a highrise fire. The report would increase the city's staffing to 37 per shift. Including administrative and other roles, the recommendations would increase the department to 200 positions from 124. Fire Chief Conrad Landry said the department will spend the coming months examining the recommendations. "What we've been looking for is what's the road map of the fire department for the next 10 years, and we now have it," Landry said. One major recommendation is to add a sixth fire station within three to six years. That would mean adding 40 firefighters along with additional fire trucks and equipment. Another recommendation calls for relocating the St. George Boulevard, Brandon Street and Botsford Street fire stations within 10 years. St. George, with the fire training tower, and Brandon are described as insufficient. The report says Botsford, the newest station built in 2008, can't be expanded and has safety issues. The report says a new station can range in cost from $5 million to $20 million. The report, which spans more than 300 pages, paints a picture of a department that's struggled to keep up with the city's population and issues like drugs and homelessness. It says the number of calls for service "have grown exponentially," reaching 9,135 last year. That's up by 1,300 from 2023. Medical calls accounted for almost 60 per cent of calls between 2021 and 2023. The report says "medical and social-service type calls are on the rise." One recommendation is for the department to use smaller medical response trucks to reduce wear and tear on larger vehicles during medical responses, an idea several councillors Monday suggested could be an immediate priority. The city's social issues are reflected in other ways in the report. A description of the Brandon Street station notes it is beside a shelter and says the station's landscaped areas were "littered with drug paraphernalia and needles." The report says the city installed fencing at the station due to vandalism and thefts. Elsewhere the report says security concerns have led to some staff being unwilling to transfer to certain stations. "The impact of social issues on the folks here is massive," Coun. Shawn Crossman said Monday. The review also describes the department as behind on building fire safety inspections compared to requirements set by the province's fire marshal. Despite increasing inspections, the report says the department's workload and structure make it more reactive. "The importance of a proactive fire inspection program cannot be overstated, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by workload constraints and staffing shortages within the [Moncton fire department]," the report states. "A well organized, adequately resourced fire prevention program ensures compliance with safety regulations and plays a critical role in reducing fire-related injuries, deaths, and property damage." Several councillors who spoke Monday welcomed the report's recommendations and thanked firefighters watching in council chambers. Coun. Charles Leger said he wished council had the report before a recent presentation by city staff that suggested Moncton may need to raise its tax rate in 2026 for the first time in years. At the time, city staff alluded to significant costs looming, including the fire review and downtown infrastructure. "This is really daunting," Leger said of the fire report, suggesting it may mean the city can't hold its tax rate steady. He called for staff to return to council in September with more details about what could be prioritized in next year's budget. Coun. Daniel Bourgeois made a motion, which passed unanimously, calling for staff to present priority items in September and an implementation plan by the end of the year with costs, timelines and pros and cons of the recommendations.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Glasgow could lose a fire station and this is what people had to say about it
Residents living in areas that could lose a local fire station have raised concerns about whether they will be "kept safe" as a result. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been holding public meetings about the possible closures of Yorkhill and Cowcaddens fire station. The Glasgow Times attended two meetings this week on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17 to hear how residents feel about the two options for change which will affect Glasgow. At each meeting, which took place in The Pyramid in Anderston and Townhead Village Hall, the SFRS did a presentation about the two options before residents took part in a discussion and were invited to put forward ideas. Option one would see Cowcaddens fire station rebuilt on Maitland Street, the sale of the current site, and the closure of Yorkhill fire station which currently has one appliance. Option two would see the closure of Cowcaddens at its current site with the land sold off, but they would retain their Maitland Street site for possible future development. Yorkhill would remain open. The fire service has said the response times would remain favourable and highlighted Glasgow city centre is covered by the highest concentration of stations in Scotland. READ NEXT: MSP slams proposals to cut fire services across Glasgow A total of six residents attended the meeting regarding Yorkhill on Tuesday evening. There were concerns raised about whether the area's growing population has been considered when the options were drawn up or if the decision was based on current figures. Several planning applications have been approved in recent times with thousands of new homes set to be built in Anderston and Yorkhill. It was also pointed out that that the area has large venues such as the Hydro and SEC which have thousands of people attending at a time. One resident said: 'I don't think you should be cutting it [services] down when houses are being put up everywhere.' A second agreed: 'I think it's a shame both options put forward closing a station.' They continued: 'Glasgow is changing, there is a huge amount of redevelopment going on.' 🚒The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking a Service Delivery Review to explore ways to modernise and improve operations, ensuring we're better equipped for the future. 23 options for change will be part of a public consultation. Read more: — Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) June 25, 2025 It was also raised that Glasgow now has a Tall Buildings Design Guide, which could see more skyscrapers in areas including Anderston Quay and Cowcaddens, with questions asked over whether this had been considered by the SFRS. One resident said they don't want to see a 'scramble' in the future to reinstate services that they 'shouldn't have lost' in the first place. Another agreed they are concerned resources are being taken away despite more people coming to the area, with several people pointing out Anderston Police Office was also closed taking another emergency service base out of the community. One resident did highlight however that appliances attending a fire do not necessarily have to come from the nearest fire station. There were also questions asked about what could happen to the Yorkhill fire station site if it was sold and what could be developed there, with a resident saying there needs to be more social housing in the area. It was also said by one person that they hoped the decision on what land to sell of what not just about money. An attendee commented: 'They have to keep their head above water, but we need to be kept safe.' READ NEXT: Public meetings to be held on future of Glasgow fire stations Similar concerns were raised by city centre residents who attended Thursday evening's meeting about the possible closure of Cowcaddens station, particularly regarding the area's growing population and high buildings. Several developments have also been approved in the city centre with thousands of new homes also set to be built. A couple of the 12 residents attending said they felt choosing option one was a 'no brainer'. There was frustration over the fact both options which are being considered would see the current Cowcaddens site sold leading to possible developments in that area, with one person saying it will be a 'disaster' for those living nearby as they have already the experienced other developments being built nearby. They said: 'This consultation means nothing because the site is going to go. 'We are going to be impacted by another 10 years of building.' Participants at both consultations also asked if the city centre's changing road system have been considered when calculating average response times. One resident in Anderston said they have seen fire crews stuck in traffic while trying to move through the city centre. They said: 'The traffic is impossible, and it will only get worse as roads are filed down.' Some residents did not feel they have been brought into the consultation process early enough and said that 'decisions have already been made' however the SFRS did highlight there were public consultations early on when they were developing options. A few also commented they did not like that it felt as though two communities were being 'pitted against each other' over which fire station should close. Presentations were held by Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, director of prevention, protection and preparedness in Anderston and Assistant Chief Officer Craig McGoldrick, director of training, safety and assurance, in Townhead who assured residents both options put forward are viable. The SFRS are working to reshape the service to meet new risks and make sure resources as where they are needed most. In the last 20 years, the number of domestic fires has halved and the number of people injured in fires has decreased steadily since the early 2000s, but there are now more wild fires due to the effects of climate change. They are also working to modernise their stations and want to put more resources into training and protection. The SFRS Service Delivery Review consultation will run until September 16, 2025. You can find out more and take part via If you require information in a langue other than English or in a different format such as braille or audio you can email A decision on what changes will be made is expected in December of this year. SFRS options for change in Glasgow There are two options for change in Glasgow involving five fire stations – Maryhill, Yorkhill, Govan, Springburn and Cowcaddens Option one Rebuild Cowcaddens on Maitland Street site and maintain two wholetime appliances. Reinstatement of second appliance that was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetimes appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Springburn from two to one. Close Yorkhill which has one wholetime appliance based there. Reinstate the second wholetime appliance at Maryhill that was temporarily removed in September 2023. Option two Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Close Cowcaddens which has two wholetime appliances based there. Maintain ownership of the neighbouring Maitland Street site for future development. Reinstate the second wholetime appliance at Maryhill that was temporarily removed in September 2023.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Newmarket fire station honours legacy of former chief Sam Rippey
On Thurs., July 17, 2025, Central York Fire Services hosted a ceremony to name Station 4-1 Sam Rippey Fire Station in honour of the late Newmarket Fire Chief. Pictured left to right; Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh, Councillor Kelly Broome (Chair of the Joint Council Committee), Mayor John Taylor, Kelly Palmer (Sam Rippey's daughter), Councillor Christina Bisanz and Central York Fire Services Chief Rocco Volpe.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
At least $50,000 worth of equipment stolen from Volunteer Fire Company
For Brian Ball and his members, the fire station is like their second home. So when volunteers arrived Thursday morning to a busted door and missing equipment, it felt like their house had been broken into. "You kinda feel violated, you know, somebody comes into your house, takes your stuff, takes away a little of the sense of security you have about your house," Ball told WMAR-2 News. According to Baltimore County Police, the suspects used a tool to pry open the bay door to the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company's firehouse. They then stole rescue equipment including forcible entry tools like this one. READ MORE:
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson County to purchase old Arsenal Street fire station
Jul. 3—WATERTOWN — Jefferson County is set to purchase the old Arsenal Street fire station and use it initially for additional parking. County Administrator Ryan Piche said the purchase is contingent upon a phase-one environmental review of the property and a structural review of the building. The building, located at 217 Arsenal St., is set to be purchased for $500,000 from the current owner, 217 Arsenal Street LLC, of Pittsford, Monroe County. Piche said the immediate use is for parking, but added there are options available for the county for future development. "We intend to use the building," he said in a text message. Piche said there is a need for additional office and storage space. "The county has desired to add this parcel to our downtown campus for quite some time," he said. It was approved as a "late resolution" Wednesday night because the county did not have the seller's sign-off before the Finance and Rules Committee meeting last week, Piche said. The building was previously owned by Timothy E. Kelly and D. Edward Grant until selling it in January 2003 to Tallmadge LLC., Lake Katrine. Kelly operated Tallmadge Tire and Auto Service Center at the location from 1992 until his retirement in 2001. The building has since remained vacant.
