The City of Kingston has purchased 23 acres of land to establish a state of the art training facility for Kingston Fire and Rescue.
“This purchase is a key step for the future development of Kingston Fire and Rescue,” said Fire Chief Harold Tulk. “The need for the facility was identified in the Master Fire Plan. The facility will be built specifically to help us develop a wide variety of emergency response skills and build leadership through study and practice. Remaining current with new approaches to fighting fires and conducting rescues will assist our staff in protecting life and property due to fires and other life threatening emergencies”.
Located immediately behind the Ontario Ministry of Transportation property on John Counter Boulevard, the property was owned by the provincial government and purchased through the Ontario Realty Corporation.
“This is an opportunity to put this land in use for the good of the community,” says Tulk, who is in the midst of planning a public open house to give a public overview of the project. It is expected to take place next month.
Council approved the Master Fire Plan in 2010. The Master Fire Plan outlines the development of Kingston Fire and Rescue and includes the establishment of a training facility where emergency response personnel can develop their skills. This site will also be available to local industry, education institutions and other emergency services in Eastern Ontario. A copy of the Master Fire Plan is available on the City of Kingston website.
The City has planned to develop the training facility in a phased-in approach over a period of seven years. Phase 1 is planned for 2011-2012 and includes site servicing and assembling and erecting the training tower. Phase 1 was approved by Council as part of Kingston Fire and Rescue’s 2011-2012 capital budget.
Kingston Fire and Rescue provides services which include emergency response, fire prevention, building code enforcement, fire control activities, public education and emergency management for our community.
Media contact information: Fire Chief Harold Tulk, 613-548-4001 ext. 5204
