For John Syroid, it's all about space. There is much more of it now. And Innisfail firefighters, always the best in their profession, have one more reason to feel extra special.
And that makes Syroid a happy fire chief.
“It is a great facility. There is lots of room to move which makes it easy to work out of,” said Syroid. “There are no problems here. My firefighters like it just fine.”
As members of the Innisfail Fire Department join their colleagues across the province to dutifully recognize Fire Prevention Week, it's also the same time to mark the first full year in the $1.8-million dollar fire hall that opened in October 2012.
The facility has not only taken the Innisfail Fire Department to the highest professional level to handle any emergency situation, it has radically changed the way local firefighters interact with themselves outside of calls. What's more, is that the new fire hall is a place where firefighters look forward to coming to -- not to just frantically rush to when an emergency alarm awaits their arrival.
The most noticeable difference in the new quarters is there is plenty of room to move about and extra space to just relax, a precious commodity for all firefighters. The new facility on 49 Street boasts 14,000 square feet of floor space – three times that of the former space-challenged fire hall next door to town hall, used by local firefighters for more than 40 years.
The new fire hall has 11 bays, compared to six at the old facility. The building rises almost 20 metres from the ground to the top of the hose tower, which is extensively used for training. Unlike the old facility, the new fire hall has a welcoming touch – a reception area that was unheard of in the old facility. And the offices are big, a fact that especially pleases the fire chief.
“We had nothing like this at the old fire hall. We had one little room that was hard-pressed to fit my desk,” said Syroid.
As an added luxury for the department's 28 firefighters, a kitchen and common room were constructed for firefighters to relax and debrief after a call. It is another first for the department, as is the facility's 12-foot by 16-foot gym.
“It is just like home to them. They love it,” said Syroid of his crew's satisfaction.
The construction of the new spacious facility was also an opportunity for the town to utilize the hall's classroom as an Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC), replacing the town council chamber in the event of a local disaster or emergency.
“It is operational now,” said Colin Whymark, supervisor of protective and disaster services who was appointed by town council to be director of emergency management. “If there is an emergency of any nature we activate our emergency plan.
“This facility will make it easier to function. It is 100 per cent better,” said Whymark, adding the ECC can also be activated for any large community event in case an emergency situation arises. “It is good for the community. It is the one spot where everybody can coordinate in one spot.”
And while it's unanimously agreed by everyone that the new fire hall has exceeded every expectation it was meant to do, Syroid will not let his firefighters or the public forget about the department's past.
In the reception area there is a display case that is filled with history – old photographs and memorabilia. There is even a firefighter's time book from 1944.
“Back then firefighters got paid one dollar per call,” said Syroid. “Times have changed.”
