Fire chief gives update on new hall and other matters of interest

Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio gave an update on the new fire station, currently under construction along Simcoe St. on the Libro Centre property. Winter weather has had some impacts he said, but crews were on scene last Sunday morning when these photos were taken, including one photo from the front (above) and one from the rear (below).

Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio has given an update on the new fire hall plus other matters of interest he believes are for the safety of the community.

Construction of the fire station, located along Simcoe St. on the Libro Centre grounds, has been impacted over the winter due to the cold and snow.

“We have seen some solid progress on the construction,” said Mio. “however, it has slowed due to the brutal winter that we have been having.”

Mio said they were notified recently that the handover date has been extended, largely due to the recent weather. 

“I think last (Thursday) night they were calling for -35C. Thankfully it didn’t get that cold but we're still getting calls for burst pipes,” said Mio. “The wind, snow and extreme cold has hampered construction at some key critical points. I have not seen a winter like this since I was a kid. The strong winds and weather that we were getting in January stopped the contractor from being able to complete the roof on the west side of the apparatus bay and getting the structure closed. It has caused a domino effect on the whole building.” 

The chief said the contractor was targeting late May for completion, but that was before the onset of the recent cold snap and snowfall.  

“While we are excited to get into the new hall, we do not want them rushing construction during poor weather and risking long-term issues,” he said. “We believe it is important to take the time to build it properly the first time so the building is safe, durable, and built to last.”

The recent fire on Lakewood Dr. was an example of how difficult firefighting can be in cold conditions, he added.

“We saw it first-hand, our crews fought a fire on Lakewood Dr. on the 21st and with the wind and cold our firefighters were instantly frozen. I have fought a lot of winter fires as well, and that was a cold one,” he said.

The total approved budget for the new Amherstburg fire station is over $11.8 million, including an amount for contingency. 

According to a social media post from Councillor Molly Allaire: “There is no debenture issued as we are waiting for closer to final close of the project to issue the debt. At that time, a final amount for the debenture will be given and will provide council with term options.”

Allaire’s lengthy post noted modern fire halls have a service life of 50-75 years. She noted the matter came before town council six times in open session, with the beginning of the process being in 2020 when the new fire master plan was approved in principle by town council.

Mio was invited to attend the Amherstburg Residents Forum last Thursday night. 

Mio said during last year’s budget open house, the fire department received a number of questions about its budget and the various costs involved in delivering fire services, “costs that surprised some people and highlighted the complexity of modern firefighting.”

“I explained that all of our equipment must meet strict standards designed to protect firefighters. We discussed why firefighters require multiple sets of protective gear, allowing them to change into a clean set after a fire while their primary gear is properly washed and dried,” said Mio. “With cancer rates among firefighters continuing to rise, we are working hard to ensure our members have the right equipment, facilities, and processes to clean themselves and their gear, reducing the risk of bringing harmful carcinogens home to their families. We have to protect them as well.”

Mio told the River Town Times last  Friday morning there were many great questions throughout the Thursday evening discussion, stating he was also asked the previous night“What can we do to help?”  

“My answer is always simple - start with prevention at home,” Mio said. “One of the most important things people can do is make sure they, and everyone they know, have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. I explained that smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and in all sleeping areas, and it is now the law to have CO detectors on all levels of the home as well.” 

Finding out about problems early is very important, he noted.

“Early detection makes a huge difference,” “If you have a pot on the stove while you’re in another room and the alarm alerts you, you can usually stop it before it becomes a fire. At night, it’s the same idea, those alarms give you the warning you need when you’re most vulnerable.”

Mio said he also spoke about winter driving safety and the increased risks posed by snow and poor road conditions. 

“We see far too many preventable incidents in bad weather,” he said. “If you do need to drive, take the time to properly clean off your vehicle. Your windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof, and plan your route ahead of time.”

Patience can save lives, stressed Mio. 

“If your trip can wait, please let it wait. It’s safer for you, for other drivers, and it helps keep our emergency resources available for true emergencies,” he said. “Give time for the county and town plows to clear the streets. Those guys have done a great job in some tough conditions. They have been the real heroes this time of year. At the end of the day, all these small steps…working alarms, safe driving choices go a long way in keeping our community safe, especially during the winter months.”

Fire chief gives update on new hall and other matters of interest

By Ron Giofu