Paradise new fire station open, finally

It's a couple of months behind schedule, but the Town of Paradise finally opened its new fire hall on Tuesday.

Firefighters were on duty as of 8 a.m.

"Everything is ready to go, which is certainly very important in our business," Don Byrne, deputy chief of operations The St. John's Regional Fire Department (SJRFD), told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show.

Fire Station No. 8 is an extension of The St. John's Regional Fire Department. It's equipped to provide 24/7 service, with four full-time fire fighters, one single-engine fire truck and a water tanker unit.

Byrne said the Paradise facility is basically a clone of the new west end station on Blackmarsh Road in St. John's.

 "We can actually house up to six pieces of apparatus here," he said. 

"As a first response engine, they're able to respond to medical calls, road traffic accidents, fire calls, the whole gamut … their response will be no different than any other station."

"The Town of Paradise receives great fire and emergency response service from the St. John's Regional Fire Department ... The fire and emergency services in Paradise are now further enhanced," said Paradise mayor Dan Bobbett.

The building's opening had been previously delayed because of unspecified legal issues with a contractor.

Byrne said the opening is a welcome addition in Paradise.

"I think it's great because it's an integral part of any community to have the emergency response capability that will now exist directly in the town," he said.

With a new station opening, it's important to remember the number and protocol remain the same.

"People still dial 911," Byrne said. "That's the appropriate measure for any emergency. No matter what, dial 911."