The Strathroy-Caradoc Fire Department looks like it will be represented by two physical stations instead of three, plus a complete replacement of station #1 in Strathroy. This week at council, it was approved to receive and action the 19-recommendation Fire Master Plan and a Fire Hall Location Study that was initiated in January of 2021. The Fire Department says they can project that the call volumes of the fire department will range from 350 (low scenario) to 375 calls (high scenario) per year over the next decade, while call volume will increase with the population growth, it will be primarily in the two developed communities of Strathroy and Mount Brydges. Chief Brent Smith says a replacement of the current station 1 in Strathroy and also for the potential purchase of appropriate land for a future combined Mount Brydges/Melbourne, Station 2 and 3 is in the works. Smith says this new alignment can work.
Chief Smith wanted to make sure the message was crystal clear. There would be no difference in service for residents by not having a station in Melbourne, the service would be equal if not better and there would be no firefighter numbers lost with the realignment. A station along County Road 14 (Glendon Dr.) between Christina Road and Rougham Road would ensure a 2-3 minute travel time into the core of Mount Brydges, while providing good north / south access and west access to the western boundary of the municipality containing Melbourne.
In 2020, Station 1 responded to 175 calls, station #2 90 and Station #3 34 calls, and with Station #2 covering a large portion of the 402. Taking into consideration that Station #3 in Melbourne is also in need of replacement, there would be the opportunity to build one station that could serve Mount Brydges and cover the response requirements over to the hamlet of Melbourne. Here are the links to the entire Master Plan and the Location Study report.
https://pub-strathroy-caradoc.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=6689
https://pub-strathroy-caradoc.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=6690