Westfield Fire Department’s Little River Rd substation as seen in January 2017 during renovations (photo submitted).
Happy New Year to everyone! I wanted to take a moment to update you on one of my priorities as a City Councilor. For well over five years the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) has been working on plans for the renovations, update and expansion of the Little River Fire Station # 2. As of today we are now in the final stages of construction.
The Westfield Fire Department (WFD) is a municipal organization with a primary mission to protect lives and property from fire. However, throughout the years the mission and services provided have expanded and evolved. The general categories of service are currently:
- fire suppression and investigation,
- specialized rescue, fire prevention and education,
- alarm communications,
- emergency medical services via ‘Advance Life Support’,
- hazardous materials mitigation
The WFD is now positioned to start the inaugural process for the Westfield Little River Fire Sub-Station 2. Renovations and upgrades commenced on July, 7 2016. Once completed, the WFD will begin staffing the station to maintain a 24 hour, seven-days-a-week facility. With extraordinary support from everyone in the city, we will continue our move into 2017 as a world-class emergency services public safety facility in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BRENT BEAN II
The original building was erected in 1973, and in addition to the station being antiquated for modern firefighting and paramedic processes, it also had no air conditioning, had just one bathroom and needed windows and roof repair as well as other noticeable obvious upgrades. While all those issues are going to be addressed, they are also expanding the building to include more operation area, both for firefighters and for the community.
This renovation upgrade will have a community room that will double as a classroom, two bathrooms, an office for firefighters, EMT and paramedic training and a larger living area so that it can one day house more personnel. Notably, the City was able to get a 2 year extension on the existing septic system because the facility will be connected to the new sewer as part of the long term plan.
The station is important to the city due to its location and must be upgraded as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fire Service moves into the 21 Century. These upgrades will allow the WFD to service the outskirts of Westfield, toward Agawam and Southwick effectively.
The City of Westfield has realized a huge cost savings, and a necessary upgrade to their WFD Emergency Service through the innovations of this project planning and execution. Special Thanks to the men and women of the Westfield Fire Department, Chief Reagan and Fire Commissioners Albert Masciadrelli, Patrick Olearcek and Carl Bonavita for making this project a reality.
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call (413) 562-6006.
Brent Bean, City Council President
