Board of Aldermen Page 9
July 12, 2016
ON THE QUESTION
Alderman Cookson
| was not able to attend the Budget Review Committee meeting where this was discussed but | have a
few questions. Listening to Chief Galipeau, he mentioned that we have been discussing this since about
2007/2008. We talked about increasing operational opportunities, places to store protective clothing, etc.
He then spoke about the growth in the south end of the city. We are looking to bond $1.6 million to work
on the third building at the Spit Brook Fire Station. | am not sure where this falls into play but this was
part of the minutes from the Budget Review Committee meeting which | believe was on the 27" and | am
just going to read this statement by Chief Galipeau and this is where my question comes from. “By
adding this bay we can put a ladder truck in that bay and the area that they do the work won't be in that
area. The big thing is that it affords us nights, weekends and holidays, especially during the colder
months. If either engine or the pumper truck or the ladder truck were to go out of service during those
times we are forced in that one facility to pay premium dollar to call in a mechanic to repair the vehicle.” |
completely understand that but since 2007 that’s the situation that they have had to deal with so | am
assuming that there has been some sort of contingency plan that’s been put into play so that when a
truck does go out of service that something happens so that they are able to take advantage of this
space. l|’m just trying to understand what plans are already in place. What would happen today if this
bond doesn’t go through?
Chief Galipeau
The plan we’ve had in place since the building opened is that we have to call a mechanic in, nights,
weekends, holidays, whatever. As you referenced the premium dollar comment, by having the third bay
which the building was originally designed to be and it was cut off, you could take our spare ladder truck
or our spare pump truck and bring it down there to get through the weekend or the overnight to the next
day and then deal with the mechanical issue at straight pay.
Alderman Cookson
Okay so there is no other contingency plan. You would actually use the space that is available, bring in a
mechanic and you would pay premium dollar for that mechanic?
Chief Galipeau
Correct.
Alderman Cookson
With regard to the growth of the south end of the city, how does the third bay assist with that aspect?
Chief Galipeau
At different times of the year we may look to ramp up our response capabilities down there. We all know
what it is like sometimes between November and December getting down Daniel Webster Highway.
Potentially we could look to relocate one of our downtown engines to the south end during a high peak
traffic time to offset response times. There are times that when Engine 2 out of the Lake Street fire
house, during those times of the year responding down to the Pheasant Lane Mall to back up Engine 3
and it’s a 15 to 18 minutes response and then when they get down there it’s twice as long getting out.
