Toronto may close firehouse over budget woes

The Toronto Star

TORONTO — The Toronto Fire Service budget freeze means a fire station in the west-end Swansea neighbourhood may be closed down and four fire halls reduced from two trucks to one, according to a memo to council from Fire Chief Jim Sales.

Sales says the impact will be marginal because five trucks out of the city's 128 are unused.

However, Ed Kennedy, president of the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters' Association, disagrees: "This will definitely affect service ...Any change could mean more property lost and more people hurt. In our business seconds count."

Councillor Sarah Doucette, whose ward 13 includes the station slated for closure, says changes would come into effect on Jan 1. "It's appalling. It's a service cut that could affect peoples' lives and their main investment in life which is their property," she said.

An emergency meeting for residents is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Swansea Town Hall.

The five fire halls impacted are 426 Runnymede Rd. in Swansea, 1549 Albion Rd. at Kipling Ave and Finch Ave.W., 5318 Lawrence Ave. E. and 7 Lapsley Rd in Scarborough and 840 Gerrard St. E. in Riverdale.

The fire station at 426 Runnymede Rd. in Swansea is being closed due to a fire services budget freeze.

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