Relocation of Bracebridge’s Fire Station 2 estimated at $4.45 million
The relocation of Bracebridge’s Fire Station 2 was estimated at $4.45 million, in the March 4, 2025, General Committee meeting.
The information was included in the Fire Department’s breakdown of activities in their 2024 Annual Report and Master Plan update.
According to their report, in addition to responding to community fires, the department focused on conducting inspections for fire prevention, and community education through outreach activities, and emergency planning.
New initiatives involving upgrades to fleet, advanced training programs, and efforts to improve the efficiency and safety of Firefighters.
Emergency response for 2024 included responding to 30% more calls than the prior year – a total of 396 calls, an increase from 304 in 2023. They indicate the increase is due to the extreme weather events, due to issues with power lines and carbon monoxide (CO).
Fire Prevention and education had an increase in inspections and community engagement as a result of the new Fire Inspection and Compliance Officer position filled by Jonathan Taylor. The report adds, “Jonathan’s current focus is on Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) inspections, smoke and CO alarm assistance and compliance as well as coordinating public education initiatives.”
The department conducted 128 inspections last year, “resulting in a 172% increase over the previous year,” indicates the report, adding that the increases were due to STRA inspections, along with increased follow ups and complaints.
STRA inspections resulted in 71% of properties having issues with fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide alarms, “with 32% of smoke alarms and 25% of carbon monoxide alarms,” adds the report.
It continues, “Staff took the opportunity to educate STRA operators about their obligations for documentation. This was to ensure the required checks, tests and inspections are documented properly and will be one of the main items reviewed by staff during their required annual inspections in 2025.”
The department also updated it’s Emergency Response Plan by identifying community risks, which includes an Emergency Preparedness Public Education Summary. Majority of the education is provided through social media, ads, radio, and Emergency Preparedness Week.
The report continues that the Town included an Emergency Preparedness page, in addition to the flood and winter storm pages. The page includes the Voyent Alert app and other related information. The goal is to create pop-up pages that are available during emergencies.
Other projects included a new site location analysis for Station 2, costing $250,000, development of an implementation plan, costing $50,000, development of the location and implementation plan for static water source fill sites, costing $30,000, and reviewing the department’s software and hardware needs, along with recommendations for purchasing the new system will be this year.
The report continues that the Town will proceed with relocating the Fire Station to Uffington Road, at an “all-in” estimated cost of $4,450,000. It adds, “Based on current information, capital expenditures for Fire Station 2 are estimated to occur from 2028-2029.”
Staff will continue to work on planning task to “get the project into a shovel ready state, allowing the Town to take advantage of any grant opportunities or unexpected changes to other projects that could be used to accelerate the timing of the work.”
Mayor, Rick Maloney, said their Fire Department is “second to none in Muskoka,” praising their 70 new volunteer recruits last year and “professional approach.”
He expressed appreciation for the “commitment and dedication of staff.”
Councillor, Barb McMurray, expressed the importance of making it known that she didn’t support the move of the Station 2 from Oakley to Uffington. She deemed it as a “disregard to the safety of the residents of Oakley.”
Maloney said, “It’s not a helpful statement.” He added, “Council made the decision and involved engagement at all levels.”
