New modular fire station looks to address gaps in emergency services in Waverley West

As Waverly West continues to grow rapidly, the demand for a dedicated fire station has increased. Construction has begun on a portable fire station, so the area can finally get the fire and emergency services it desperately needs.

The modular station on the corner of Eaglewood Park, has already made significant progress. The $8 million project, is gearing up to house a fire engine and crew, along with an ambulance and paramedics, in an effort to cut down response times in the area over the next two years while the $15 million permanent station is built on at the corner of Bison Drive and Ruth Crossing.

“This neighbourhood has grown twice as fast as anticipated, so now we’re playing catch up,” said Janice Lukes, the Waverly West Councillor.

Lukes says the idea for the modular station came from cities including Calgary and Edmonton, as a way to increase emergency services across the city.

“It is reusable right, so it will be relocated, set up, relocated set up, a few times,” said Lukes.

Kimberley Partridge who lives adjacent to the new station, is happy with the project. She says firetrucks and paramedics have frequented the area.

“I can actually think of three isolated incidents when vehicles were fully engulfed in flames and one of them was actually right out here,” said Partridge.

She says some in the neighbourhood have voiced concerns with how loud the sirens would be, but says she would rather be woken up to sirens than a raging fire.

“The time waiting for the fire department to come was pretty stressful because it was fully engulfed in flames,” explained Partridge. “Getting on site quicker is a lot more important than a little bit of inconvenience of the noise.”

Lukes says there has been some pushback from the community, but highlighted that it’s only temporary. Adding that once gone, they will be adding a maintenance yard and public washrooms on the plot of land. As for the station, Lukes says construction will take roughly three weeks before the team can move in.

“I would rather have a fire station on my doorstep than I would have 10 miles away.”