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5 May 2023
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City of Toronto Fire Service Fire Station 144 built with 'future growth in mind', Canada
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The City of Toronto Fire Service’s Fire Station 144 is situated in the south west corner of Downsview Park in Toronto, Canada and is strategically located in close proximity to more than 1 000 new homes and will play an important role in serving York Centre’s growing community. Fire Station 144 in North York has reduced the fire department’s response time to the area around Downsview Park by 29 percent. This is the 84th Toronto fire station in the city and it celebrated its official opening 8 July 2022 though it became operational in February. In addition to being operational, this station will house Toronto Fire Services’ Fire Investigations team.
The station construction started on 15 March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning and is expected to be completed in Fall 2021. The station designed by Thomas Brown Architects, will also be the location for the Toronto Fire Services Fire Investigations Team and serve as a post-disaster facility. The $11,7-million facility was designed for functionality to be an efficient, environmentally-conscious facility that allows natural light, uses robust materials for a longer service life and includes a green roof.
The station currently houses a pumper truck along with the department’s fire investigations unit, which is comprised of 10 investigators and four fire investigation response vehicles. “They did build the station with future growth in mind, so it does have the capacity to add another full-size fire truck,” Toronto Fire Services Division Chief Steven Wilson said.
Station 144’s pumper truck, known as P144, responded to 400 calls in Station 144’s coverage area and 337 calls outside of its area between 1 February and 29 June 2022.
The 400 calls within the Station 144 area included 164 medical emergencies, 75 rescues, 64 false alarms and 19 fires.
The new hall also has a decontamination section with an extractor, a high-pressure washing machine to clean bunker gear. “We don’t have them at every hall. We have them situated throughout the city,” said Wilson, noting fire fighters at Station 144 can decontaminate on site, thereby “reducing out-of-service time.”
The new building was also custom designed for the department’s fire investigations unit and features an outdoor evidence storage facility. “Our investigators are often handling fire debris and the last thing you want to do is bring debris with toxins into an indoor environment where fire fighters are living and sleeping,” Wilson said, adding the new station also features a “major case conference room” and a library of fire science reference material.
In 2021, the fire investigations division investigated 158 fires, including 19 that involved a fatality. The division, which was formed in 2017, also supports the Toronto Police Service with arson investigations. In 2021, 30 percent of the division’s investigations involved supporting police probes. “Our investigators do spend a lot of time in court, in provincial offences court prosecuting fire code violations and in criminal court supporting Toronto police with their investigations,” Wilson said. “All of our investigators are fire fighters (who) come from different areas of the department but the demands (of the job) are very different than an operational fire fighter.”
“I am pleased to announce that, in addition to being an operational fire station, this station will also house the Toronto Fire Services Fire Investigations Team and includes purpose-built spaces that includes an evidence lock-up and decontamination areas that our staff require to operate effectively and safely. The station will serve as a post-disaster facility and will be protected by a full emergency back-up generator system to maintain service, even under adverse conditions”, said Fire Chief Matthew Pegg.
“As our city continues to grow, so do the amount of people living in buildings and houses. The creation of this new Fire Station will service an area that is need of proper supports and services from our Toronto Fire Services. I want to thank TFS for their work thus far on the project and look forward to when the project is complete so that residents in the area can receive support from the station,” said Mayor John Tory.
“This fire station on Keele Street is another vital City of Toronto project which is located and will be staffed to keep the residents of Downsview and beyond safe. Fires are rare but we always rely on our first responders to get to a fire safely and quickly. That is why we always admire and respect the bravery and dedication of our fire fighters and offer prayers that they return safety to their families after every shift,” said Councillor James Pasternak, (Ward 6 York Centre), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Toronto is home to more than 2,9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and liveable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.
Sources: City of Toronto Fire Service, St Catharine’s Standard
The station construction started on 15 March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning and is expected to be completed in Fall 2021. The station designed by Thomas Brown Architects, will also be the location for the Toronto Fire Services Fire Investigations Team and serve as a post-disaster facility. The $11,7-million facility was designed for functionality to be an efficient, environmentally-conscious facility that allows natural light, uses robust materials for a longer service life and includes a green roof.
The station currently houses a pumper truck along with the department’s fire investigations unit, which is comprised of 10 investigators and four fire investigation response vehicles. “They did build the station with future growth in mind, so it does have the capacity to add another full-size fire truck,” Toronto Fire Services Division Chief Steven Wilson said.
Station 144’s pumper truck, known as P144, responded to 400 calls in Station 144’s coverage area and 337 calls outside of its area between 1 February and 29 June 2022.
The 400 calls within the Station 144 area included 164 medical emergencies, 75 rescues, 64 false alarms and 19 fires.
The new hall also has a decontamination section with an extractor, a high-pressure washing machine to clean bunker gear. “We don’t have them at every hall. We have them situated throughout the city,” said Wilson, noting fire fighters at Station 144 can decontaminate on site, thereby “reducing out-of-service time.”
The new building was also custom designed for the department’s fire investigations unit and features an outdoor evidence storage facility. “Our investigators are often handling fire debris and the last thing you want to do is bring debris with toxins into an indoor environment where fire fighters are living and sleeping,” Wilson said, adding the new station also features a “major case conference room” and a library of fire science reference material.
In 2021, the fire investigations division investigated 158 fires, including 19 that involved a fatality. The division, which was formed in 2017, also supports the Toronto Police Service with arson investigations. In 2021, 30 percent of the division’s investigations involved supporting police probes. “Our investigators do spend a lot of time in court, in provincial offences court prosecuting fire code violations and in criminal court supporting Toronto police with their investigations,” Wilson said. “All of our investigators are fire fighters (who) come from different areas of the department but the demands (of the job) are very different than an operational fire fighter.”
“I am pleased to announce that, in addition to being an operational fire station, this station will also house the Toronto Fire Services Fire Investigations Team and includes purpose-built spaces that includes an evidence lock-up and decontamination areas that our staff require to operate effectively and safely. The station will serve as a post-disaster facility and will be protected by a full emergency back-up generator system to maintain service, even under adverse conditions”, said Fire Chief Matthew Pegg.
“As our city continues to grow, so do the amount of people living in buildings and houses. The creation of this new Fire Station will service an area that is need of proper supports and services from our Toronto Fire Services. I want to thank TFS for their work thus far on the project and look forward to when the project is complete so that residents in the area can receive support from the station,” said Mayor John Tory.
“This fire station on Keele Street is another vital City of Toronto project which is located and will be staffed to keep the residents of Downsview and beyond safe. Fires are rare but we always rely on our first responders to get to a fire safely and quickly. That is why we always admire and respect the bravery and dedication of our fire fighters and offer prayers that they return safety to their families after every shift,” said Councillor James Pasternak, (Ward 6 York Centre), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Toronto is home to more than 2,9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and liveable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.
Sources: City of Toronto Fire Service, St Catharine’s Standard
