Residents of South Caledon and Mayfield West have a new fire station intended to improve emergency coverage as the community grows, with equipment and building features designed to protect firefighters’ long-term health.
The opening of Station 310 at 12357 Chinguacousy Road was celebrated on May 11, Caledon Citizen reported. Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, Caledon OPP and local dignitaries attended the event.
Fire Chief Dave Pelayo said the station addresses a gap in service and will help crews reach residents more quickly. Mayor Annette Groves said its location will improve coverage for existing neighbourhoods and future development along one of Caledon’s fastest-growing corridors.
Inside the building, dedicated decontamination areas separate spaces used for contaminated equipment from clean areas. Those zones include washing machines for protective gear and packs, along with showers.
Green, yellow and red markings on doors identify the potential contamination level of different spaces. Pelayo said the separation of clean and contaminated areas, together with the building’s systems, is intended to reduce exposure risks for firefighters.
Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Fairbarn said the layout supports emergency response while also addressing the health and well-being of firefighters and other staff over their careers. He said the facility will improve response times and coordination.
More capacity to refill breathing-air cylinders
One equipment upgrade is a new filling bank that can refill eight breathing-air cylinders at once, compared with six previously. Fairbarn estimated that filling each cylinder has historically taken about 10 minutes.
He said that capacity matters when crews may use hundreds of cylinders at a single fire while needing to remain ready for another emergency. An adequate air supply helps determine whether firefighters can enter a building to fight a fire or must work defensively, he said.
Grant funding also allowed the fire service to obtain the same model of filling equipment for Station 303.
Training and living spaces
Station 310 includes an apparatus bay, training rooms, a gym, storage, living quarters, and a kitchen and dining area. It will also accommodate regional training courses in a space separate from firefighters’ living quarters.
The living areas can be divided by platoon to address cross-contamination concerns, including those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dining room is large enough for everyone at the station to gather at the same time.
Pelayo described the station as a low-carbon facility with energy-efficient systems and rooftop solar. Groves also highlighted its environmentally responsible construction practices.
Brampton North-Caledon MP Ruby Sahota attended the opening and said the station represents an investment in community safety, first responders and the emergency infrastructure needed to support Caledon’s growth.
