Moorefield firefighters will become the first responders for non-structure fire calls to a section of the Drayton station response area due to a planned bridge closure this summer.
Fire Chief Rick Richardson explained in a March 22 report to council that the Wellington County roads department has advised Mapleton Township of the need to close the Wellington Road 8 bridge in Drayton for construction in this spring.
Richardson reports there is no “in town” detour available around the bridge, located beside the Drayton Fire station.
The affected area includes Wellington Road 8 from the PMD arena to 8110, all streets west of the bridge including King, Queen, Wortley, Bedell Dr., Ridgeview and Main St. West, impacting 123 residences and the businesses on Industrial Drive.
A comparison was prepared using the route from the Drayton fire station to Wellington Street North, to Concession 12, Sideroad 15 and returning on Wellington Road 8 to King Street.
A second route was driven leaving Moorefield fire station and continuing on Wellington Road 10 to Wellington Road 8 to King Street in Drayton. The route from Drayton station was 10.1 kilometres long and took 7:02 minutes to complete.
The route from Moorefield was six kilometres and was completed in 4:37 minutes.
Richardson said the dispatch center in Guelph will be notified to make the necessary changes once the fire department is notified of the specific dates for closure.
During the construction period of spring to late summer, the affected area would get first response for non-structure calls from the Moorefield station.
All structure fire events would remain a two-station response with Drayton detouring the route performed in the study.
Mayor Neil Driscoll noted the fire response situation was brought up by members of the public at the town’s budget open house in February.
“I’m just very glad your department has looked into it so well and have a plan in place to look after it,” Driscoll told Richardson.
Councillor Michael Martin asked if ambulance service operators would also be advised of the need for alternate routes.
Richardson said Wellington County’s emergency planning department would ensure police and ambulance services are aware of the situation.
