The finishing touches still need to be added, but the Roseneath Emergency Services Facility is in full operation by Alnwick/Haldimand firefighters and Northumberland County paramedics.
Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Chief Mark Diminie and Northumberland County Paramedic Chief Bill Detlor were at the station on Thursday, December 6, 2018 showing media the facility.
Diminie said firefighters moved the apparatus into the facility on November 23 and have since been responding from the location on the north side of the village of Roseneath on County Road 45.
“It’s a facility any fire department would be proud to have,” said Diminie.
The previous station was much smaller then the new facility.
“You could see the difference well before we moved in. The other facility is a fraction of the size of this, the fact they have all this room and some state-of-the-art equipment including the washer and drier for their bunker gear, a proper training facility with video screen, it’s hard not to get excited about moving into the new station.”
Previously the station was at the back of the Civic Centre in Roseneath which had many obstacles to deal with during an emergency.
Diminie said the parking area was small for firefighters, in addition they were sharing it with the Civic Centre and even a nearby school.
“The aspect of having kids around the firehall when you’re trying to come in and leave in a hurry probably wasn’t the best situation.”
“It was pretty congested there sometimes.”
The new location is approximately one kilometre from the previous station which is sometimes difficult to find when building a new facility.
“We are right on County Road 45 so our access to the north and south is going to be easy and there are quite a few roads that branch off that to go east and west, so location wise I think it’s the best,” said Diminie.
The bay area where apparatus is stored is approximately six times bigger then the previous station.
“We have a rescue boat that’s been sitting in Rice Lake because we had no where to put it. We had a Caterpillar all-terrain vehicle sitting in a old garage because we didn’t have anywhere to put it. Now we can bring all the equipment into one building and respond and with the proper equipment right away.”
Working in the same building as paramedics also have many advantages.
“It’s great we are in the same building and I think this should have happened years ago.”
“We’re on the same team, we work together, we’re both here for the citizens and doing what’s best for them so the fact we are here in the same building, we can get to know them better, and do cross training is going to be so much easier.”
Paramedic Chief Bill Detlor said Cramahe Township was the first area to have a dual paramedic/fire station base. Trent Hills has one in development for the near future.
“It’s going really well,” said Detlor of the Cramahe base.
“It’s great to get to know the other emergency responders in the community and when you see them on calls, things go that much smoother. It’s a win win.”
Another key benefit is having both types of emergency services in one facility saves money and is more efficient.
“You don’t have multiple lots to look after, buildings to clean, multiple maintenance to do, there is definitely savings.”
Previously the paramedic base was located at the Works Department between Roseneath and Hastings.
“It was a building that worked at the time, but call volume goes up 6-7% every year and we’ve simply outgrown that space,” said Detlor.
“Another bonus of being here is we are closer to the community of Roseneath and Alderville which is where the bulk of the calls are happening when they are happening out here.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
