Province annnounces new firefighting facility in Chapleau

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

******************** Province expands forest fire fighting capacity in Northeastern Ontario

Safer Communities; Better Protection Of Forest Resources

CHAPLEAU — The Ontario government is making northern communities safer and stronger by constructing a new state-of-the-art fire management facility in Chapleau, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"We are committed to increasing protection for the people, environment and natural resources in the northeast from the threat and damage of wild fire," said Ramsay. "The new facility will expand our firefighting capacity, improve our efficiency in fighting wildfires and provide a modern, safe workplace for fire management staff."

The new facility will bring approximately 50 office staff and fire rangers who once worked in separate locations under one roof.

It will include a fire response office, an equipment warehouse, maintenance and repair section, and a training and lunch room.

The ministry is investing $2.4 million in the construction of the new facility.

The project is part of ReNew Ontario, the McGuinty government's strategic five-year, $30 billion infrastructure investment plan.

"The Ontario government understands the importance of investing in essential infrastructure in Northern Ontario," said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. "We place a high priority on helping communities in the North protect the health and safety of their residents as well as the northern economy and environment."

The government’s real estate arm, the Ontario Realty Corporation, is overseeing construction of the new facility.

The tendering process has concluded and construction is scheduled to begin this month.

The facility is expected to be operational for the 2006 fire season.

******************** Province strengthens forest fire fighting capacity in Northwestern Ontario

New Greenstone staff quarters will improve fire fighting efficiency GREENSTONE - The Ontario government is making northern communities safer and stronger with new staff quarters for the new fire management complex at Greenstone Regional Airport, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"We're working to increase protection for communities, the environment and natural resources in the northwest from the threat and damage of wildfire," said Ramsay. "The new staff quarters at Greenstone will combine modern accommodations for both firefighter and fire aerial operations in one complex, resulting in improved efficiency and increased fire fighting capacity."

The new quarters, which will be operational for the 2006 fire season, will support approximately 50 fire and aviation personnel during the forest fire season, providing accommodations, washrooms, a kitchen and dining area, and a common room.

The ministry is investing $3.9 million in the construction of the new accommodations.

The project is part of ReNew Ontario, the McGuinty government's strategic five-year, $30 billion infrastructure investment plan.

"The Ontario government is committed to investing in essential infrastructure in northwestern Ontario," said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. "We place a high priority on helping communities in the North protect the health and safety of their residents as well as the northern economy and environment."

The government's real estate arm, the Ontario Realty Corporation, is overseeing construction of the new facility.

The Greenstone Forest Fire Management Headquarters is a key location for centralized forest fire management in Ontario.

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