New Fire Station Will Increase Safety and Community Service
To increase safety and service, the Saskatoon Fire Department is taking steps to improve response times and coverage to the entire City. Implementation of the new model and relocation of Station No. 3, will deliver tax dollar savings of $6 million in capital costs and $2 million in annual operating costs.
“This is all about a safer community,” says Saskatoon Fire Chief, Morgan Hackl. “Part of the model proposes decommissioning the current No. 3 station located on Taylor Street and York Avenue and building a new station on Clarence Avenue South.
“This will provide coverage in the Stonebridge area neighbourhoods while maintaining the standards in the neighbourhoods currently served. We are now presenting the proposed plan to the communities located next to the new station.”
While also providing improved service, Chief Hackl stresses the plan will strengthen the neighbourhood. He says a new station would serve the community in a variety of ways.
“Our plans include community rooms with bookable space for the public and neighbouring church congregation. We also see it as a location for regular health and wellness initiatives, such as blood pressure or car seat clinics.”
As the department works toward national standards for response times, Chief Hackl and the Fire Department are also speaking with residents living in neighbourhoods bordering the current location of fire station No. 3.
“We are letting residents know that as the City grows we want to make emergency responses more efficient, and that requires re-evaluating station locations.
The safety of the entire community is a priority in the City’s strategic goal to improve the quality of life for citizens, and specifically the four-year priority to ensure that emergency response times for the Saskatoon Fire Department meet the needs of citizens.
The report will go to City Council on June 27, if passed at Monday’s Standing Policy Committee. If approved, it’s expected construction would begin in 2017.