The Roseneath Emergency Services Base was officially opened on Saturday, May 25, 2019.
Dignitaries stepped out for a moment in the rain to cut the red ribbon to officially open the 14,000 square foot base that houses both Northumberland County Paramedics and Station 3 of the Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Department.
Town Crier Liam Cragg kicked off the ceremony.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Milords and Miladies – Welcome to the grand opening celebrations!”
Cragg went on to explain the first known firefighter unit was established in Rome around 100 BC by Marcus Licinius Cracus. Firemen would show up at a blaze then negotiated a fee to put out the fire.
If a satisfactory price could not be agreed upon, the structure would burn to the ground.
After the great fire of London of 1666, insurance companies formed their own private fire brigades to look after their clients.
Later, fights broke out between competing fire crews with the winner getting the right to put out the fire and receive the insurance money.
“We’ve come a long way since then,” exclaimed Cragg.
“When it is your home or your business that is on fire – when it is you or your loved one who needs on site medical attention, I think we can all agree there is peace of mind knowing that there are properly trained and equipped first responders nearby.”
There were a number of displays in both the paramedic side and the firefighter side of the building.
Northumberland County Chief Paramedic Bill Detlor said the building has been occupied with paramedics and firefighters since the end of 2018.
“It’s a great collaboration with other first responders, it’s great for the community, it’s great for training – it’s just a win win.”
Some of the benefits are a drive-thru bay, which makes it safer, well laid out training space, get to see the firefighters and get to know them on a first name basis – “it makes it that much more relaxed which is better for the patient.”
The Roseneath Emergency Services Base is the third such kind in Northumberland County that combines paramedics and firefighters in the same building.
“It’s phenomenal the effort that has gone into this building,” said Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Chief Mark Diminie.
“The two services working side-by-side is definitely going to enhance our ability to work together at a scene.”
The previous facility that housed Station 3 was “extremely small, which hampered training.”
“With this new facility running an organized fire department is going to be so much better.”
Diminie stated the new building will also be a moral booster for firefighters.
“The firefighters are excited to come to training because they have the proper facility and are showing pride and ownership in what they have.”
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
