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Construction underway on new Caledonia Fire and EMS Station

Construction is now underway on the new Fire and EMS Station in Caledonia. The new facility – located at 270 Argyle St. N – will replace the fire hall currently located on Caithness St. W. It is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Planning for the new, combined 15,640 sq ft Caledonia Fire and EMS station has been ongoing since 2014 in response to projected growth and urban intensification.

The new station’s design was developed by architectural and engineering consultants G.D. Vallee Ltd. and the construction is being managed by Reid & Deleye Contractors Ltd.

The fire portion of the building is approximately 6,372 sq ft which includes four (4) drive-thru style bays, a decontamination area, offices, lockers, washrooms with showers, laundry facilities, storage and maintenance space.

The EMS portion consists of approximately 1,432 sq ft and two (2) drive-thru style bays, an office, lunchroom/crew quarters, locker area, washrooms with showers and a stock room.

There is approximately 7,836 sq ft of space to be shared amongst Fire and EMS staff, including a large training/meeting room, storage, a universal washroom and space for the display of an antique fire truck.

The facility was designed with the potential to be transformed into a Net Zero building and will have the ability to be equipped with solar panels in the future.

Once the new Fire and EMS station is complete on Argyle St. N, the south side station on Kinross St. will remain in service with one fire pumper. The ambulance bay will only be used in the case of a major event.

“I appreciate the time and attention to detail that went into developing the design of this new facility,” said Haldimand County mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “I’m thrilled to see shovels in the ground and look forward to seeing this much-needed project in its final state,” she added.

Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Manager of Emergency Medical Services/Fire Chief, noted the significance of the project for the community and first responders. “This new facility is an important addition to the community and the dedicated first responders who serve it,” Gallagher stated. “It’s another important step in planning for the long-term protection of our county.”

Rendering of Caledonia Fire/EMS Station

Above: A digital rendering of the new Caledonia Fire and EMS station currently being constructed on Argyle St. N.

Emergency Management Exercise

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – On October 12th, 2023 Haldimand County Emergency Services partnered with Genesee & Wyoming Inc. to conduct a full-scale tactical exercise involving the railway. Fire, Paramedics, Ontario Provincial Police, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., and Woodstock Police joined together to learn, train, and practice a simulated event.

This year’s Emergency Management exercise was in the Jarvis area and simulated a truck versus train collision, in which one train car was leaking and another was on fire. The purpose of the yearly exercise is ensure compliance with policies and procedures, test inter-agency communication, as well as ensure both first responder and public safety.

We are pleased to advise that this year’s exercise was a great success. Please see the attached photos.

 

CO Awareness Week

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Join us from November 1-7 in celebrating CO Awareness Week! Haldimand County’s Emergency Services members will be spreading awareness regarding Carbon Monoxide safety, and our fire fighters will be our boots on the ground handing out information to local residents. Don’t be shy and say hi! This will be prime time to ask questions, get advice, and meet your friendly neighbourhood fire fighters!

The Fire Department has a limited supply of Carbon Monoxide alarms that will be distributed to local residents in need, free of charge. To receive an alarm, please contact the Fire Department at (905) 318-5932 ext. 6230 or email emergencyservices@haldimandcounty.on.ca. Complimentary CO alarms are available on a first come, first served basis.

Carbon Monoxide is known as the “Silent Killer”. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. It can be present in any home with a fuel fired appliance. As it is undetectable by human senses, the only way to ensure the safety of you and your family is to have working CO alarms! You can also have all fuel fired appliances inspected regularly by a certified technician and, of course, DO NOT leave vehicles or generators running indoors.

  • Ontario law requires that a working carbon monoxide alarm be installed adjacent to each sleeping area in homes that have a fuel-burning (i.e. wood, oil, natural gas, propane) appliance, fireplace or an attached garage.
  • In a condo or apartment building with a service room, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in the service room and adjacent to each sleeping area of all condo/apartment units above, below and beside the service room.
  • In a condo or apartment building with a garage, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all condo/apartment units above, below and beside the garage.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms in rental units must be tested by the landlord annually and after every change in tenancy.
  • In Ontario, more than 65 per cent of injuries and deaths from carbon monoxide occur in the home.
  • A Canadian certification mark ensures that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the appropriate Canadian standard; only alarms with the Canadian certification mark should be purchased and installed.

As Fire Prevention Week approaches, Haldimand County Fire Department reminds residents: “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 8-14 this year, and Haldimand County Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.”

This year’s theme and awareness campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to mitigate the risk of kitchen fires.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in Canada. “Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires,” said Fire Chief Jason Gallagher. “This tells us that there is still much work to do when it comes to educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”

Haldimand County Fire Department offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.

  1. Ensure your home has functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are installed to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  2. Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking, and never leave anything unattended. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  3. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
  4. Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 1m around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
  5. When it comes to cooking with oil, shortening, or other fats, it’s crucial to be extra vigilant. One small mistake, such as overheating the oil or leaving a pot unattended, can quickly escalate into a dangerous kitchen fire. To prevent these kinds of fires, it’s important to keep pots and pans securely lidded to avoid splashing oil and never to leave cooking equipment unattended.
  6. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  7. Homeowners should be mindful of how they store their kitchen tools and utensils. Make sure that flammable materials, such as paper towels or dish towels, are stored away from the stovetop, and that utensils and tools are kept in a safe and secure location.

To find out more about fire prevention programs and activities in Haldimand, please contact the Haldimand County Fire Department at (905) 318-5932 ext. 6230 . For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.

Fire Chief Jason Gallagher Challenges Haldimand to be “Saved by the Beep”

Fire Chief Jason Gallagher is calling on all residents of Haldimand County to test their smoke alarms on September 28 as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Be prepared to be Saved by the Beep with a working smoke alarm – it is your best chance to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.

Haldimand County is joining communities across Ontario on September 28 by asking everyone to take a minute and to ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home.

Last year, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires – the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to have no working smoke alarm and stand as a reminder that only working smoke alarms will alert you to a fire and give you and your loved ones enough time to safely escape.

“In Ontario, we’ve seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practiced home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is asking Ontarians to regularly test their smoke alarms with a challenge to test all smoke alarms in their residence on September 28.

For more information visit www.savedbythebeep.ca

Quick Facts:

  • Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006.
  • Residences also include vacation homes, cabins, trailers, RVs, and cottages.
  • Landlords must test alarms annually, after the battery is replaced, and after every change in tenancy. Renters must notify their landlord as soon as they become aware that a smoke alarm is not operating.

Enbridge Safe Communities Grant

Haldimand County is pleased to announce the acceptance of a grant from Enbridge in the amount of $5000.

The grant is a part of Enbridge’s Safe Communities Grant and will allow us to purchase Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for the community. Haldimand County fire fighters will then be able to provide those alarms to residents in our municipality as part of our Smoke and CO Alarm programs.

Haldimand County, and Haldimand County Emergency Services, are pleased to accept this grant and continue to foster a safe and proactive community.

Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – The Grand River Conservation Authority is issuing the following Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety.

A slow-moving weather system crossed the Grand River watershed overnight Wednesday, resulting in 50-70mm of rainfall in northern and central portions of the watershed. While this rainfall will not result in flooding, river flows are higher than normal for this time of year. Recreational users on local waterways should be aware of the current conditions and exercise additional caution. The GRCA’s multi-purpose reservoirs are being operated and stored water is being released to return them to their normal level for this time of year. River flows will remain elevated through the weekend.

Banks adjacent to local waterways are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all water bodies.

This message will remain in effect until Monday, July 17, 2023.

Haldimand County Fire Department lifts county-wide burn ban

The county-wide burn ban issued by the Haldimand County Fire Department has been lifted due to recent weather conditions, including prolonged heavy rainfall.

Recreational and non-recreational burning may resume, as long as these activities are carried out in accordance with the Open-Air Burn By-Law. Residents are reminded of the following:

Recreational fires

Haldimand County does allow small fires (recreational) in all areas without a permit as long as the fire meets all of the regulations found in the Open Air Burn By-law. Things to remember when having a recreational fire on your property include, but are not limited to:

  • Favourable weather conditions must be present: no fog, no air quality alerts, no burn bans and winds less than 20 km/hr.
  • The fire must be contained and supervised at all times.
  • Fires must be at least 10 meters from buildings and structures.
  • A means of extinguishing the fire must be available.
  • Measures must be in place so no one is adversely affected by smoke and odours from your fire.

Non-recreational fires

Non-recreational fires are only permitted within certain zones of the county, and a burn permit MUST be obtained to do so. Burn permits can be acquired online available at HaldimandCounty.ca/apply or in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building. Non-recreational fires must meet all of the regulations set out in the by-law. These regulations include, but are not limited to:

  • Non-recreational fires must remain under supervision at all times.
  • Fires must be contained to an area not exceeding 6 meters by 6 meters.
  • Non-recreational fires must be 60 meters from all buildings, roadways and anything combustible.

Conducting open-air fires that are not in line with Haldimand County’s by-law presents potential safety hazards. Anyone conducting an open-air fire that violates the by-law is subject to fines, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and extinguish the fire.

For more information on fire safety in Haldimand County, visit the Fire Department website.

Haldimand County Fire Department issues county-wide burn ban

As hot and dry conditions persist, Haldimand County Fire Department is issuing a burn ban for all of Haldimand County effective immediately. This includes recreational and non-recreational fires.

Until further notice, all open air fires and the use of any family fireworks is prohibited anywhere in Haldimand County. Burn permits are also suspended until further notice.

The only exception to the ban is cooking fires contained in an approved natural gas / propane barbeque and non-recreational cooking campfires in campgrounds that have an approved fire safety plan.

Burn permit applications submitted during the burn ban will be processed only once the ban has been lifted.

Fires conducted during a ban may be subject to subject to fines, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and extinguish the fire.

During a fire ban you should call 911 immediately if you discover an open air fire.

For more information on fire safety in Haldimand County, visit the Fire Department website.

Haldimand County encourages residents to prepare for planned Hydro One outage in Caledonia area

Haldimand County encourages residents to prepare for planned Hydro One outage in Caledonia area

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – On Saturday, June 3, 2023, Hydro One will be replacing critical equipment at its Caledonia Transmission Station that require power to be shut off in the Caledonia area from 10 p.m. to approximately 6 a.m. on June 4.

Residents in the Caledonia area are encouraged to check Hydro One’s planned outage map to confirm whether they will be affected.

Residents affected by the outage are reminded of the following:

  • Make sure your appliances, such as the stove, are in the off position.
  • Make sure your cell phones and extended battery packs are fully charged.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use a cooler with ice for items you’ll need during the planned outage.
  • If you plan to use a generator, remember to use it in a dry area outdoors away from any open windows, doors and vents.
  • Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns instead of candles. If using candles, place them in a secure holder and cover them with a glass chimney, away from children and pets.
  • Make sure your home has battery-operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Ensure alarms have been tested and are working.
  • Municipal water service will not be affected. For those with private water treatment systems, check on the treatment equipment once power is restored to make sure it is operational before using the water.
  • Have non-perishable foods on hand that do not require cooking (e.g. snack bars, trail mix, fruit).
  • Treat intersections with non-functioning stoplights as four-way stops.
  • Have your 72 hour emergency kit handy.

Residents within the planned outage area are also encouraged to sign up for status notifications on the Hydro One website and check the outage map for updates on restoration time.

For more information on what to do before, during and after a power outage, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.