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Public meeting Wednesday on EMS and safe haven at former St. Hilda's site Halton Region is hosting a public information meeting Wednesday (Sept. 18) about plans for an ambulance station and safe haven at the former St. Hilda's Anglican Church. The meeting, in a drop-in, information format will take place at T.A. Blakelock High School, from 7-9 p.m. It is being held to inform the community and take questions for future plans since the property at 1258 Rebecca St. has been purchased by the Region. According to a letter circulated to area residents from Greg Sage, chief of Halton's Paramedic Services, "the intent is to develop a new paramedic station on part of the lands." The southwest has had among the highest paramedic call volumes in Halton Region, noted Gage. As far back as 2005, Halton identified the need for a paramedic station to respond more quickly to local emergency medical calls to improve patient outcomes and save lives. What has captured the interest of area residents, however, is the inclusion in the plan for a safe haven. This point has left many residents with questions. According to the Region's website, a "safe haven" space is where a person can safely lock themselves in the building foyer if they feel they are in danger. This feature is available all day, every day. The site states, historically, the Region has provided an emergency phone on the exterior of its paramedic stations. The phone is provided in case someone comes to the station looking for assistance when the paramedics are away responding to a call. The phone allows the person requiring assistance to call 911. The safe haven is the vestibule at the main entrance of the station and is typically four-by-four metres. It can be locked from the inside to provide a safe environment for someone waiting for emergency assistance. There are no other plans currently in place for the remainder of the large property. Any such plans would require regional council approval and community consultation. Information about the plan is at www.halton.ca/ SWOakvilleStation. According to Halton Region's website, construction is scheduled to begin in late 2014. The station is tentatively scheduled to open in 2015. Traffic lights at Warminster Drive and Rebecca Street can be controlled by the paramedics leaving the station, giving the ambulance a safe entrance onto the road, all but eliminating the need for sirens and impacting traffic minimally. Halton Region says it can work with the community and take steps to address concerns related to noise from ambulance sirens -- and construction will conform to the Town of Oakville's noise bylaw. The paramedic station will include a direct line to 911 on the outside of the building. 9 | Friday, September 13, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Free agent with every policy. We can help you meet your needs like no one else. From insurance to financial services, We can help you protect what's important to you. Welcome to a state of assurance. Get to a better State®. Get State Farm®. CONTACT A STATE FARM AGENT TODAY. Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Darryl Demille CFP 905-842-1020 www.darryldemille.ca Andrew J Heideman 905-829-0018 www.andrewheideman.ca Angelo Gualtieri 905-257-7773 www.angelogualtieri.com Bartucci Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Deborah Bartucci 905-337-3276 www.autoinsuranceoakville.ca Stephen Ostapchuk 905-238-5643 www.stephenostapchuk.ca Stacey Sutherland 905-339-3276 www.insuranceinoakville.com Grant Leslie 905-469-4499 www.grantleslie.ca Michelle Cooper Ins and Fin Sv Michelle Cooper CFP 905-826-4900 www.michellecooper.ca Daniel Durst 905-847-1898 www.danieldurst.com statefarm.ca® 1301767CN State Farm, Canadian Head Office, Aurora, Ontario