By John Herbert | The London Free Press
Local politicians, residents and London’s deputy fire chief are expressing concern about fire safety in Lambeth and the former town of Westminster in the wake of a close call this week.
Their concerns come in the aftermath of a fire call in Lambeth, to which volunteers from Fire Station No. 11 failed to respond. That is the former Westminster fire hall just south of Lambeth.
Although it turned out to be a false alarm, the incident served as a warning bell for London fire department Deputy Chief Bill Johnston and other, who were left wondering what might have happened had a fire started outside Lambeth.
Firefighters from south London, as required under the city’s annexation agreement, responded to the call at 8 Baynard St., where a rooftop air conditioner was reported on fire.
The alarm was received at 12:09 p.m. and London firefighter arrived in six minutes.
However, because there is no municipal water supply or hydrants outside Lambeth, a water tanker is needed to battle blazes in the annexed area.
Four volunteers are required at the Lambeth-area fire hall before an engine, rescue unit or the 4,500-liter (1,000-gallon) water tanker can respond to an alarm. Johnston said only two of the 29 volunteers responded to page beeps alerting them to the fire call.
The only other tanker in the London fire department’s fleet is at the fire station north of the University of Western Ontario on Western Road – at the other end of the city.
We’re investigating it,” said Johnston, acting for Fire Chief Gary Weese, who is off sick with pneumonia.
“It is a fact two (volunteer) firefighters showed, and we couldn’t run an engine. It could have been a serious situation – no question. It is a potential (recipe for disaster).”
It’s not clear why the volunteers failed to show up. Leroy Poole, the chief of the volunteer unit, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
UNCOMFORTABLE: Ward 8 Councillor Ben Veel said there is animosity between the volunteers and city firefighters. London firefighters have said in the past they are uncomfortable fighting fire alongside volunteers.
“I tried during the annexation hearing to very much get our fire department incorporated with the city,” Veel said.
“It was totally rejected by the city, mainly the firefighters’ association. They wanted no part of volunteers.”
Veel said he agreed “100 percent” there is potential for a fire disaster.
Lambeth resident and Ward 7 candidate David Bentley, former chairperson of the Westminister PUC, is also troubled by the lack of response.
“It surprised me,” Bentley said.
A couple of residents who were opponents of annexation said there had not been a problem before.
Virginia Chevalier of Lambeth said everybody was happy to volunteer in the past. But she isn’t sure there’s any incentive to volunteer now, because city firefighters are paid and volunteers aren’t.
“Maybe they don’t have the same dedication,” Chevalier said.
David Burton says “something’s got to change” in operating the fire hall.
“The Lambeth station functioned so damn well it was an example for others. Obviously morale is low. How did it get to the point only two people who up for a fire? Something must have happened to disillusion these people.”
Source: London Free Press
