City of Peterborough Celebrates Grand Opening of Fire Station #2

The City of Peterborough celebrated the grand opening of the new net-zero Fire Station #2 with an open house to welcome the public to the facility located at 100 Marina Blvd. at the former Northcrest Arena location on Thursday afternoon.

Council members past and present with Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger unravelling the hose in lieu of a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the Fire Station’s grand opening. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The building uses passive solar design and renewable energy sources. It is considered the City’s first facility designed and built to be certified as a net-zero carbon and net-zero energy building.

A combination of high-efficiency and intelligent technologies, including automated control systems, ground-source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels and heat-recovery systems, are installed. The building is constructed with a mass timber structure, a carbon-sequestering material and a high-performance exterior envelope. An abundance of natural light, provided through bird-friendly, high-performance windows and doors, reduces electrical light and heat loss.

“Today is a big step forward for Peterborough as we move toward achieving the goals of our Climate Change Action Plan,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This new fire hall will help the City reduce greenhouse gas emissions while delivering a vital service to Peterborough residents.”

Fire Station #2 has incorporated training facilities into the building including training areas for pumper operations and technical rescue disciplines such as rope, confined space and trench.

“The training capabilities within this station will help Peterborough firefighters maintain and enhance their training, ensuring we are ready to respond to all emergencies,” said Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “The location of the fire hall enables us to respond to those calls quickly and strategically.”

The building's net-zero design is expected to save the City an estimated $24,270 per year in operational costs.

The City says it will pursue net-zero carbon and net-zero energy certification through the Canada Green Building Council.

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Dryer Fire Breaks Out Of Aylmer Street North Basement; No Injuries Reported

A dryer fire has caused roughly $5,000 in damages at an Aylmer Street North basement however, no injuries were reported late on Wednesday night.

File Photo.

At roughly 20:11 p.m., Peterborough Fire Services responded to a report of a possible structure fire on Aylmer Street North. Fire crews observed smoke coming from a detached dwelling with all occupants exiting prior to FD arrival.

Fire Crews entered the unit to find that a fire had started in a clothes dryer that was located in the basement of the dwelling. It was quickly extinguished and damage was contained to the dryer and immediate area in the basement.

Peterborough Fire say the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Peterborough Man Drowned at Beavermead Park Sunday; Pronounced Dead At PRHC On Monday

A 22-year-old Peterborough man has died after going into the water at Beavermead Park on Sunday. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

At roughly 5:15 p.m., officers and first responders were called to Beavermead Park. According to Peterborough Police, three people had entered the water but only two could get out. 

Peterborough Fire Services activated their water rescue team and located a male in the water. He was resuscitated and taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre but was pronounced dead on Monday.

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Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Say City and Peterborough Fire Services

With Daylight Savings Time and the clocks springing forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services and the City of Peterborough are reminding residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks. 

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to save lives, they need to be working,” explained Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “When you change your clocks on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services wants everyone to take the time to check all the alarms in their home. Check the expiry date and test every alarm. Be sure to change the batteries if you do not have a wired or 10-year battery sealed alarm.”

Residents are reminded that nine-volt batteries can be fire hazards when not stored safely. It is unsafe to store them in a drawer near paper clips, coins, pens or other batteries. Cover the positive and negative posts with masking, duct or electrical tape before disposing of the battery to be safe.

The City of Peterborough works with not-for-profit organization Call2Recycle that provides battery recycling programs nationwide to divert batteries from going to the City’s landfill according to a press release. Batteries can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. and at locations throughout the city for safe disposal:

• City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

Other battery drop-off locations in Peterborough:

• GreenUP Store, 378 Aylmer St.

• Kingan Home Hardware, 167 Simcoe St.

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Combustibles Close to Heater Cause Evening Garage Fire On Ravenwood Drive

A light smoke and a fire broke out in a Ravenwood Drive garage on Thursday evening.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

There were 17 Peterborough Fire Services firefighters who arrived on the scene.

The first responders noticed the smoke from an attached garage and quickly extinguished a couch that was on fire without incident.

There were no injuries reported and the cause of the fire was due to be a heater too close to combustibles.

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Peterborough Fire Services Conduct Ice Rescue Training; Warns Public that 'No Ice Is Completely Safe'

Peterborough Fighter Service firefighters endured the frigid waters during ice rescue training at the stormwater pond on Sherbrooke Street on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Fire Services.

The pond was somewhat frozen due to the warmer weather Peterborough has had in the past week.

According to the Peterborough Fire Service's X account, the message is that there is no completely safe ice and to stay off it.

“You cannot tell the strength of ice by its appearance. Temperature, thickness, snow cover, water depth and size are all factors affecting ice safety.”

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Police and Fire Services Seeking Public For Information of Margaret Avenue Fire

The Peterborough Police and Peterborough Fire Services are asking anyone with information to come forward about a fire on Margaret Avenue on Saturday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 12:20 a.m., the fire was spotted and called in. The home had just been sold and was empty at the time.

Seventeen firefighters responded to the call and heavy smoke billowed from the house upon arrival. After a search, fire crews did not find anyone in the fire and police believe no one was injured. The fire was extinguished without incident.

The Ontario Fire Marshal has since determined the circumstances to be suspicious and the Peterborough Police Service is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Detective Constable Mark Jilesen with Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x285 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Peterborough Fire Services Warns Public of Expired Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Following recent incidents involving expired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the city, Peterborough Fire Services urges all residents to ensure their alarms are functioning correctly and are not expired says the City of Peterborough.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms require regular checks and maintenance. Residents are reminded to look at the back of the alarm to find its manufacturing date. If the alarm is 10 years old or older, it must be replaced with the same type of alarm.

Key information regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:

• Smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.

• Homeowners play a crucial role in maintaining their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms which are vital for home safety.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of your home, including the basement. If possible, interconnect all alarms so that if one goes off, they all do.

• When replacing your alarm, opt for the same type of alarm, preferably interconnected and hardwired.

• Ensure any new alarms installed have the CSA and UL seal of approval.

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Enbridge Gas and Peterborough Fire Services Partner to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths In New Project

Enbridge Gas Inc. and Peterborough Fire Services have partnered to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero with the Safe Community Project Zero, announced at the Peterborough Fire Services Station # 3 on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Fire Services.

“Last year there were 133 fire fatalities in the province – the most in 20 years,” says Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “As part of Project Zero, we are encouraging everyone to learn more about smoke alarms, fire safety, and home fire escape planning which can save the lives of you and your loved ones. Only working smoke alarms will alert us in the event of a fire. We need to have them, and they need to work. These alarms will help us get them into the homes that need them most.”

Peterborough Fire Services received 324 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign that will provide more than 10,000 alarms to residents in 50 municipalities across Ontario according to a press release.

It was reported by The City of Peterborough that Enbridge Gas invested $315,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 15 years, the program has provided more than 86,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.

When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels as stated in a press release.

“Properly maintaining fuel burning equipment is the best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide, and an alarm is a critical second line of defense for protection,” said Ian Moase, manager operations of Enbridge Gas.” When we implement these strategies together, we protect our loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning, also known as the silent killer.”

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Peterborough Police and Fire Services Performing Water Training Scenarios At Little Lake For the Week

Peterborough Police Service and Fire Services are performing water training water scenarios throughout the rest of the week at the T-wharf at Little Lake from Tuesday to Friday.

The majority of the activities are done during the morning throughout the week.

Peterborough Police thanks to the public for their patience as the training is underway.

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