Waterloo Fire Rescue calls for more staff, more space, more resources

Is the City of Waterloo in need of a new firehouse?

That is one of the questions as Waterloo Fire Rescue sets out to create a new master plan to help it address future service needs.

It says it’s looking to address risk in multiple ways including public awareness, fire code enforcement, and response. It also says the main focus is on a capacity crunch, calling for more staff, more space, and more resources.

Speaking on The Mike Farwell Show on Tuesday, the fire chief said a new fifth firehouse is also on the table.

“Well, that’s certainly one of the most significant options,” said Richard Hepditch, Chief, Waterloo Fire Rescue. “We did work with a Fire Underwriters Survey group [in 2019] before we endeavored to build a fire master plan as we’re doing now, and they had recommended a [new] fire station at that time.”

Hepditch said there are also expansion options, including a rebuild of Fire Station 1 on Weber Street and/or a doubling up at Fire Station 2 on Columbia Street West.

“And then, if we do whichever option comes forward and is potentially approved, what do we do about those other resources that are creating pressures?” Hepditch asked.

He said those include essential support services like technical maintenance and mechanical needs, space for spare and additional vehicles, and more.

This comes as, earlier this year, Waterloo city council did support a four-year plan to hire 27 more staff and Hepditch said those additions will help to deal with current and future demands.

“It will,” he said. “We’re looking for a mix of staff from management to various leadership and training [staff], and [for the] mechanical division as well.”

He said the largest number of new hires though will be front-line firefighters.

“And, working with the consultant, that will set us up well for the future,” Hepditch continued. “It will increase our staffing levels that we’re looking for, really to enhance our capacity for both public and firefighter safety when it comes to the demands of the work.”

It also comes though as response times continue to drag, now at nearly 6.5 minutes for the first crew to arrive as of 2021.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having a first-in unit arriving within four minutes, though Hepditch said that is a lofty goal.

“Pick a city, pick a fire department that can meet that all the time — it’s very difficult to do,” he said. “Especially in today’s world of traffic-calming, intensification and density, narrowed street lanes, and so forth.”

He said Waterloo council has previously set its own target of having a first-in unit arrive within five minutes, though that target was set around 2007.

“That was something that was, I’m going to say… somewhat obtainable back then,” Hepditch said. “[But] how much has this city changed in the past 16-17 years [when] that was something that was put into play?”