Grant of $48,800 will pay for back-up generator at fire station

MAPLETON – A new backup generator coming to the Moorefield fire station will help maintain emergency service operations during extended power outages caused by natural disasters such as thunderstorms and tornadoes. 

The $48,800 generator will be covered by funding from Ontario’s Community Emergency Preparedness Grant program, which is designed to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment and training to improve local emergency response, enhance resilience and prepare for natural hazards and emergencies, officials say. 

According to a township report about the grant, “these prudent and targeted investments are another step the government is taking to protect Ontario and ensure that communities have the resources they need to keep people safe when the next flood, wildland fire or severe storm impacts our province.” 

Mapleton’s fire and finance departments worked together to apply for the grant to upgrade and replace the existing fixed generator site at the station. 

According to the township report, “the existing generator is over 40 years old, has a number of major mechanical issues, and is at the end of its useful life. 

“The current generator also has a relatively small capacity, and only powers a portion of our building, leading the occupants to limit power to what are deemed vital components requiring electricity,” the report continues. 

“The new fixed generator will enable firefighters to power the entire building, and includes an automatic transfer switch which will allow the generator to start up automatically when required.

"This is critical to the continuity of emergency services … There is a large amount of equipment and resources stored at the station that could be in jeopardy of not being useful if power is lost at this location for an extended period of time.” 

Finance director Patrick Kelly said the replacement will commence as soon as possible.