Fire hall future shrouded in smoke
Wed Mar 19, 2008

By: By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- The future of a new fire hall in Uxbridge is unclear now that a study to determine the most suitable location for it has been cancelled.

During an emergency services committee meeting March 17, councillors voted against a fire location study that would enlist the help of a consultant to examine the best place to build a new fire hall, forecasted to start construction next year. A piece of Township-owned property at Durham Road 8 and Concession 6 has already been identified as a possible site, as it has a central location for dispatching, noted Regional Councillor Howie Herrema.

But the estimated $25,000 study, part of $100,000 for fire hall site preparation in the 2008 budget, was defeated despite being previously approved. "We're paying for something we already know," commented Mayor Bob Shepherd.

Fire Chief Scott Richardson noted during the meeting that "staff would have to shelve duties" in order to complete the study themselves. Coun. Herrema, chairman of emergency services, said there are limited options for the new hall on Township property. But he added, "We (owning) the land is good justification, but not the only justification... I won't support (the identified location) without a full study."

Coun. Herrema deflected questions about the possible site from other councillors during the meeting, noting, "I'm getting a lot more questions than answers... that's why we need this study."

Chief Richardson could not say if the lack of site study will affect the start of construction, noting he would sit down with Coun. Herrema to determine how to proceed.

In the forecasted 2009 budget, $1.5 million has been set aside for the new hall, with another $1.4 budgeted in 2010.

Former Fire Chief Almond previously explained upgrades to Uxbridge's response vehicle fleet could reduce the fire protection portion of commercial insurance in Uxbridge by 15 to 20 per cent.

One of the recommendations from the Underwriters Survey in 2005 was that the department buy an aerial ladder truck, but Chief Almond, now serving as a deputy chief in Pickering, said even if the department purchased the new vehicle, there would be no space in the existing hall to store it.

The Underwriters downgraded Uxbridge's fire protection from grade five to seven following its inspection, the best grade being one.