2008 Fire Master Plan - City of St. Catharines

FIRERESCUEPORT DALHOUSIESt Catharines does have a number of areas of concerns for its Fire Services and thefollowing are those areas which include the respective concerns:Port Dalhousie has a unique situation geographically, in that there are only two ways into that section of the town.One access being the bridge on Lakeport Rd, and the other, via Martindale Rd., on the opposite end of Main St.There is also a small harbor that is home to two (2) marinas that houses an excess of 100 boats of various sizes onboth sides of the harborTraffic and crowd problems are seasonal, primarily from June to the middle of August. This is due to the warmweather attracting people to the area. This of course leads to parking problems, clogging already narrow streets ofthe lower older end of Port Dalhousie, including Gertrude, Simcoe, Brock, Canal and Ann Streets.Access for emergency vehicles is restricted at best when people park their vehicles in such a way on several streets,that should a fire or emergency occur, on many of these streets it would involve the staging of apparatus on the largerarteries and proceeding on foot to the fire ground.Due to the concerns of residents, businesses, and various emergency services including fire, a tighter control has beenaddressed in those areas of concern and when deemed necessary vehicles have been towed in order to provideproper access on those streets. A stronger police presence has curbed many of the issues that were arising.Identified risks include:• Increased response times to emergencies• Limited access to certain areas of Port• Possibility of panicHENLEY ISLANDHenley Island located in Port Dalhousie is home to two very large boat houses, a large parking area, an even largerpark like setting as well as a Club house on top of the island. There is one hydrant on the island near the club housenext to the parking lot.There are a number of rowing regattas that occur during the year. During these regattas the island is very busy andcrowded with rowers and rowing supporters, and for a short time period they are allowed to camp on the island.Henley Island is also a launch site for the boats used by the fire dept for rescue operations on its inland waterwaysthat covers 12 Mile Creek and Martindale pond. This covers the area from Wellandvale to Richardson Creek to thebridges and hydro generating station on Lakeport Rd. In the last 5 yrs from Jan 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 therehave been 11 boat rescues from Henley Island.Identified risks include:• Limited water supply for fire fighting• Single way in and out• Traffic congestion during events cause increase response times12ST. CATHARINES, FIRE SERVICES