A long awaited Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service report was released on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
The report calls for a number of fire stations to be consolidated and several more to be upgraded to improve response times.
It proposes that Station 1 on Ellen be joined with Station 5 on Sargent and EMS station 31 on Fury and a new super station be created.
Station 2 and 3 would be consolidated under the plan and operate out of an updated facility where station currently stands on Watt Street.
Station 4 and EMS station 30 would become the new station 4 at a river side location on Mulvey Avenue. This new site would also provide direct access to dock space on the river for the WFPS rescue boats.
Station 9 on Marion Street, which responded to a number of large fires over the past two weeks would be amalgamated with station 15 in a new building in the Windsor Park area.
Station 10 would join station 17 the plan suggests a new building closer to Keewatin Street and Tyndall Avenue be built
Under the plan a new station 13 would be built on Pembina Highway at McGillvary Blvd. Currently the station is on Lilac Street north of Jubilee Avenue.
Station 19 and EMS station 36 would be consolidated in a new building.
Station 20 is recommended to move further west near Portage Avenue and Cavalier Drive.
Station 22 is recommended to be rebuilt farther south on Waverley at Scurfield
The report recommends that Station 23 on Dalhousie Drive be rebuilt because it has reached the end of its service life
Station 24 is also recommended to be rebuilt but further southwest near Henderson Highway and Chief Peguis Trail.
Station 25 is recommended to be moved to an area near Wayoata Street and Kildare Avenue East
The plan also recommends that a station be built in the Waverley West area on Bison Drive and Brady Road.
As part of the plan to reduce the overall number of stations and increase the area many of the proposed stations service the WFPS propose the implementation of an emergency vehicle traffic pre-emption system.
This system turns traffic lights green in the direction of travel of emergency vehicles. It is suggested that by having such a system not only can first responders drive on scene more quickly but it will be safer as well.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Chief John Lane said that the estimated cost for the proposed changes would be $150 million over the next fifteen years.
All of the proposed changes are subject to the city budgeting process and council approval.
© News4.ca 2020
