October 1, 1999

 To:East York Community Council

Etobicoke Community Council

North York Community Council

Scarborough Community Council

Toronto Community Council

York Community Council

From:Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Alan F. Speed, Fire Chief

Subject:Fire Services - KPMG Fire Station Location and Facilities Study:

Supplemental Report # 1 of 3

Closing of Fire Station T26 - 153 Chatham Avenue: Ward 26

Closing of Fire Station T31 - 462 Runnymede Road - Ward 19

Purpose:

This report provides City Council with a response from staff of Toronto Fire Services (TFS) to a Councillor's request to consider alternative options for the closing of fire stations T26 and T31 as recommended in the KPMG Fire Station Location and Facilities Study report.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The recommendation to close four fire stations and construct two new fire stations has capital budget implications which are contained in another report of the same date to Committee/Council.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that City Council receive this report as information.

Council Background:

This report:

(A) responds to the motion moved by Councillor Duguid of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee at its meeting held on April 20, 1999:

"That the recommendations in the joint report of the Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services be approved with the following amendments:

(i)that the final decisions regarding the closure of Fire Stations T26 and T31 be subject to a further report from the Fire Chief outlining the anticipated impact in the affected communities currently being served by those Fire Stations, and confirming an adequate level of fire service provision in those communities; and further that community consultation take place prior to any final decisions being made;

(ii) that Recommendation No. (4) of the joint report be amended by adding after the words "associated cost savings" the following words: 'and that a thorough analysis be done to confirm the needs and priority of new fire stations/ambulance stations'; and

(iii) that staff continue to ensure that the impacted Unions and Associations are involved in discussions and reports regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the KPMG Fire and Ambulance Services Facilities Study."

(B) responds to the following motion moved by Councillor Fotinos, Chair of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee at its meeting held on April 20, 1999.

"That the recommendation to close fire stations T26 (153Chatham Avenue) and T31 (462 Runnymede Road), and the reallocation of aerial 23 from fire station T23 be reconsidered in the context of the station study conducted by the former City of Toronto in 1994, wherein it was recommended that fire station T16 and T31 be closed in favour of a new fire station on Bloor Street; and that the Fire Chief be requested to report back to the Community Services Committee on this matter as part of his overall assessment of the KPMG Study."

Discussion:

In a separate report to Council of the same date, TFS has recommended the following:

Fire Stations T16 and T31:

Firstly, we recommend that station relocation be reviewed with respect to both Stations T16 and T31. Station T16 is located on DeForest Road in Swansea, while Station T31 is located at 462 Runnymede Road - and recommended by KPMG for closure. TFS recommends the closure of both of these stations and the construction of a new fire station at a suitable location in the same general area - one that can provide the same high degree of service delivery currently in place. The proposed site would be somewhere in the Bloor West Village area. This recommendation is made in order that two aging buildings may be replaced with one new facility. The capital costs of construction for the new station will be reduced by the sale of both of the former stations.

The building of a new station in Bloor West Village to replace T16 and T31 will fill a need identified in the Fire Plans published in 1987 and 1994. The lack of aerial coverage in the southern portion of T16's running area was identified as a serious concern. Aerial T31 could be relocated to E1, and would provide aerial response to the south Swansea area, as well as to south Etobicoke. In addition, TFS staff are considering re-locating aerial T20 to the new T16 station.

Fire Stations T12 and T26:

Secondly, we also examined Stations T26 and T12. Station T26 is located on Chatham Avenue, near Greenwood and Danforth Avenues - and is recommended by KPMG for closure. Station T12 is located at Gerrard Street East and Pape Avenue. Station 26 responded to 1,986 calls last year which is a significant number of future calls to be picked up by the surrounding stations if Station T26 was allowed to close. Both stations currently house an aerial and a pumper. We have examined a number of options with respect to these two stations. Our preferred and long-term recommendation is to build a new station at a suitable location strategically located between T26 and T12 with the pumper and aerial from station T12 relocated to the new station.

While staff of the Facilities and Real Estate Division assists TFS in the search for a suitable site, our interim recommendation is for station T26 to continue to operate with the existing pumper 26 assigned to the station. Aerial 26 would be decommissioned as recommended by KPMG. T12 is an aging station and requires significant repairs with an estimated cost of $300,000. We recommend that station T12 continue to operate with a pumper and aerial until a site for the new station is determined, and a new station is constructed.

Re-allocation of the Aerial from T23:

The re-allocation of the aerial from fire station 23 is a recommendation that can be supported. From a review and analysis of past response data, including a history of vehicle placement, we have ascertained that the removal of the aerial from station 23 will not adversely affect the aerial response in that district. Furthermore, we have had computer models developed through the engineering firm of Marshall Macklin Monaghan that support this decision.

Discussions with Association Representatives:

TFS has had three meetings with representatives of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association at which time TFS's recommendations were discussed.

Conclusions:

While TFS concurs with the KPMG recommendation to close both fire stations T26 and T31, we recommend that closures not take place until such time that two suitable building sites are located nearby for the construction of two new fire stations, and then at that time, two aging fire stations T12 and T16 also close. In the interim, we recommend that T26 continue to operate with a pumper and that the aerial from T26 be de-commissioned as proposed by KPMG.

Contact Name:

Norm GibbonsBob Crawford

Sr. Policy AdvisorDistrict Chief, Emergency Planning and Research

397-4315397-4331

    Alan F. SpeedBarry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner

Fire ChiefWorks and Emergency Services

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