Kitchener council approves master fire plan
Posted May 16, 2017 05:56:17 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Kitchener has a new master fire plan.
The plan includes upgrades to the department’s response systems and initiatives for career development.
Firefighters in Kitchener respond to more than 275 structure fires a year. The city says that’s a fire every 32 hours. They want to improve how quickly crews can get to a scene because of the demand on department resources.
Deputy Fire Chief Rob Martin tells 570 NEWS they need technology upgrades to improve response times. “Our operating software is behind schedule and out of date so in order to serve the city and improve response times, we need this new technology piece.”
One of the other highlights from the plan includes a future cadet program that will lead to recruiting opportunities for those that join. Deputy Chief Martin says they’re working to implement it as soon as possible. “Right now they get their college diploma and then if they’re successful, they become a probationary firefighter. What this does is teach people about firefighting and get them ready for when they want to join.”
