The Township of Oro-Medonte held a sod turning ceremony to mark construction of a new Fire Hall (Station) in East Oro, located at 529 Line 11 North, followed by the pandemic-delayed official opening of the Shanty Bay Fire Hall (Station) located at 300 Line 3 South.
Oro-Medonte Fire Chief Hugh Murray says the new facility has been a welcome space.
“We opened this in 2020 but held off having a gathering due to the pandemic,” said Murray. “Our old building was so small for how big we’d grown that we always had to take the trucks out to wash them or you’d wet the gear. You literally had to go through one truck to get to another, so it was very much time to get to this building.”
Murray said the old Shanty Bay building was built in the 1970s when equipment and crews were much smaller compared to now.
“We get just over 600 calls a year and currently have six stations with 150 firefighters, seven pumpers, seven tankers, two rescue trucks, an aerial truck and an ice rescue boat and some off-road equipment,” said Murray. “This particular station covers the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport as well.”
The new station that will be built in East Oro will be a modern facility custom-built to provide space and amenities for training of all firefighters across the township, providing necessary tools for Oro-Medonte volunteer firefighters to perform their duties of serving and protecting the community.
Murray said it is set to be open in 2023.
“We’re pulling two stations together as part of our Master Fire Plan, which identified that where our stations are currently, was only because that’s where they were before amalgamation,” said Murray, referencing the county's restructuring in the 1990s. “This allows us to be more central and where we are quickly needed.”
Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes said the region only has about 12 fires a year, but stressed the firefighters are busy answering an array of other calls.
“Most of what they’re doing is a response to emergencies, medical or such. Particularly Highway 11 which as you know, can see some collisions,” said Hughes. “They’ll respond to anything from extricating people stuck in their vehicles or even to assist other emergency personnel by blocking a scene with the big red truck. That protects others from motorists who may not be slowing down or paying attention.”
Hughes said the new fire stations will be better equipped and better positioned to deal with calls.
The new East Oro Station will also include a museum honouring the history of firefighting in the township including display of antique equipment, a variety of photographs that reflect the heritage of the department.
It will also contain a modern training facility, four drive-thru bays, housing of fire apparatus and equipment, facilities for cleaning and maintenance of fire gear, sleeping quarters, meeting space, administration office space, and a fitness room.
