The View From Main Street September 4, 2014 Today I want to review the reasons why the City of Ashland has decided to build a new fire station. As most of you know, our current 95 year old Ellis (on Stuntz Ave.) and 92 year old Beaser (3rd Street) fire stations were built during horse and buggy days and do not meet today’s building and occupancy codes. They do not accommodate modern 47’ long and 35 ton emergency vehicles. Both stations are no longer adequate to provide the services expected by the community. The first problem with the existing buildings is that they are undersized. There is not enough room for essential vehicles and equipment of the department to be stored indoors. Apparatus and equipment are currently kept at three separate locations in the city. Two fire engines, one ambulance, the snowmobile/ATV and rescue sled are stored 18 blocks away from the manned Ellis Station. The Ice Angel rescue vehicle is stored 1.4 miles from the manned Ellis Station. This means that when a call comes to the main Ellis Station for emergency service for which these vehicles are required, there is a delay in emergency responses. The Ice Rescue responses are delayed 16-20 minutes and response to snowmobile and ATV accidents are delayed considerably longer. In addition to lack of space for vehicles and equipment, there is inadequate space for training. For a fire department, training is an essential feature necessary for the preparedness and safety of firefighters. Additionally, both stations lack enough space to house an Emergency Communications Center in the city in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. A second problem is that the existing buildings are structurally unsafe and do not meet building codes. The floors of both stations are inadequate to support the weight of 21st century firefighting and EMS vehicles. The Department is unable to store water in the reserve engine for fear that the floor will collapse. Though the floor was reinforced in the past, structural deterioration of apparatus and equipment bay floors continues. The heating and ventilation system in the manned Ellis station is inadequate and failed several times last winter, exposing our first responders to higher than normal carbon monoxide levels, and threatening their welfare. There is pervasive mold in the building. Finally, the living facilities for first responders are not ADA compliant. There are no separate female and male locker and restroom areas and no separation of male and female sleeping rooms for those members on call. Building a new fire station will provide many benefits to the City of Ashland. These include: 1/housing all personnel and equipment on one floor in one location; 2/ providing a structurally sound building capable of protecting the City’s investment in expensive firefighting apparatus and ambulances; 3/ allowing all apparatus and equipment to be available for immediate response and improving response times as a result; 4/ providing the city with a facility capable of serving as an emergency operations center in times of emergency or natural disaster; 5/ replacing aging and deficient facilities with a code compliant ADA conforming municipal operation; 6/ providing desperately needed space for staff to conduct and complete training; and 7/ providing adequate living and restroom facilities for both male and female staff members. The City and its fire department discussed the need to replace the aging Ellis and Beaser Stations for almost three decades before City Council voted in December 2013 to move forward. Active planning for a new home of the Ashland Fire Department began almost 14 years ago. During the last decade, alternatives were reviewed and grants written. Collaborations with WITC and the police department were pursued to construct a joint public safety building and training facility. In the end, the conclusion of the City Council and the department was to construct a stand-alone fire station with a service life extending well into this century. Fourteen years is a long time to take to study and debate such an important and critical part of our city’s infrastructure. About a month ago, I had the privilege of observing how the fire department and emergency response system operates by “hanging out” with the first responders at the Ellis Station during an evening shift. It is my opinion that members of the Fire Department are highly trained and dedicated professionals who serve the needs of the city and the surrounding areas well. We may not like the cost of maintaining a full time staffed department but most of us certainly desire to have the service available when needed. Congratulations are in order this week to our Ashland Senior Center and Board of Directors on the occasion of celebrating the 35th Anniversary of providing essential services that elevate the quality of life for our area’s seniors. They do good work! Also, we are recognizing this month the length of service of our dedicated city servants. All employees serving the city for more than five years were recognized and their cumulative years of service totals 1,056 years! I salute and thank each one for their loyalty, dedication to their work, and “can-do” spirit. Until next time, be well, watch out for the young people on their way to school, and stay in touch. Mayor Deb Lewis
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:22:30 +0000