Winnipeg fire paramedic service unveils 15-year consolidation plan
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2020 (1494 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is pushing for a $154-million capital plan that would consolidate 30 existing fire-paramedic halls into 23, while also building a new one in Waverley West.
WFPS Chief John Lane said city council needs to approve the 15-year strategic plan to prevent emergency wait times from growing longer.
“We see about 10,000 new people every year move in to Winnipeg… Our response times are getting longer, traffic is getting more dense. It’s making it more difficult for us to get to those calls, and this is what we need to do in order to meet that future service (level),” he said Tuesday.
Lane said the proposed changes would help ensure response times of four minutes or less for 99 per cent of Winnipeg’s properties — in part by ensuring modern fire-paramedic stations are located closer to where most residents live.
Meeting that target would depend on the City of Winnipeg adding a traffic pre-emption system that ensures green lights for emergency vehicles, he noted.
“That traffic pre-emption system is absolutely essential to the consolidations being able to maintain the appropriate response times,” said Lane.
WFPS called on council to refer parts of the plan to the city’s 2020-23 preliminary budget, which will be released March 6.
The proposal also calls for new investments in fire prevention, hiring more firefighters, additional training and some new equipment.
Lane said he’s optimistic council will fund the plan.
The WFPS chief warned not doing so could also come with a price, as businesses and homeowners could face higher insurance premiums if the city can’t guarantee a certain level of fire protection.
If approved, as is, the Waverley West fire-paramedic hall would begin operation around 2023-24.
Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said she’s seen budget sheets that appear to confirm the move.
“I think council realizes that the growth that we’re experiencing in Waverley West is exponential and there is no fire protection,” said Lukes.
The councillor said discussions are also underway with the Rural Municipality of Macdonald to determine if a service agreement could help support her southwest Winnipeg ward’s proposed fire-paramedic hall.
Lane said the new hub could be partially funded through growth fee revenues. However, council has so far opted against spending that money, since a court challenge aims to quash the fee.
The WFPS chief said the proposal could also be partially supported by land sales linked to fire-paramedic hall consolidations, which would include combining the Marion Street and Windsor Park facilities.
The Marion site would close before a new fire-paramedic hall is built in Waverley West.
Lane acknowledged the changes to existing stations could leave some homes further from fire-paramedic halls than they are now, though most of the population would be closer.
United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg union president Alex Forrest said the location of some fire-paramedic halls earmarked for closure is a concern.
"What shocked us is they’re looking at consolidating some of the halls in the poorest areas of the city," said Forrest.
Some of the proposed closures include the Furby Street, Portage Avenue, Des Meurons Street and Sargent Avenue fire-paramedic halls.
The UFFW fears the consolidations could jeopardize response times. Forrest also cast doubt on the idea new traffic signal technology would make much difference during rush hour and winter weather.
“It doesn’t save anywhere near the time they believe it will — if it’s working," the union leader said, arguing the city should raise property taxes enough to ensure first responders can meet the demand for emergency service.
"We need 13 new stations within the next few years, and only built probably five stations in the last 20 years. They have to raise taxes — there’s been neglect."
The proposal would require budget and other council approvals. It will first be debated by council’s protection committee March 4.
Coun. Sherri Rollins, committee chairwoman, said she generally supports the plan, but has several questions about its budget and the timing of any fire hall closures.
“I am supportive of making sure that the stations are in the right place. I also want to know, though, is that sequencing going to work?” said Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry).
— with files from Carol Sanders
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joyanne loves to tell the stories of this city, especially when politics is involved. Joyanne became the city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press in early 2020.
History
Updated on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 6:14 AM CST: Amends references to fire-paramedic halls/stations