City of Waterloo working on updated Fire Master Plan

The City of Waterloo is reviewing fire service requirements to meet the changing needs for public safety as our city grows and develops. Staff from Waterloo Fire Rescue are working with a consultant on an updated Fire Master Plan, which will guide the growth of fire protection services over the next 10 years. The updated plan will provide a strategic framework to help Council meet the community’s changing needs for public education, fire prevention and fire suppression services.

The Fire Master Plan will include an analysis of current and forecasted service delivery needs in fire protection, prevention and public education. As part of the review process to develop the updated Fire Master Plan, a consultant is reviewing the emergency response capacity associated with changing trends in Waterloo, such as:

• traffic calming measures throughout the city
• light rail transit (ION) infrastructure
• high-density redevelopment and intensification (more high-rise buildings requiring specialized vertical response)
• our growing and aging population

The Fire Master Plan, which is expected to be presented to Council later this spring, will include recommendations and a 10-year implementation strategy for Council and staff.

How can residents get involved?

We want to know what the community thinks, what people know about our current fire services and anything else that may influence our Fire Master Plan. Residents are invited to complete a 10 minute survey on Engage Waterloo (www.engagewr.ca/waterloo-fire-update) where project updates are also posted. After completing the survey, residents can choose to enter a draw to win a guided tour of one of the city’s fire stations. The survey will be open through February 10, 2023.

Staff are also engaging with other local government and emergency response offices, as well as a variety of community partners to get their input.

We thank everyone for their participation as Waterloo Fire Rescue continues shaping our fire safe community.  

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Media contact:

Cari Van Niekerk
Manager, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca