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New Six Nations Fire Hall long time coming By Donna Duric, Writer It was a day filled with excitement, gratitude and optimism as the Six Nations Fire Department officially opened their brand-new fire hall. "To say today is a great day would be a complete understatement." said Six Nations Fire Chief Matthew Miller. And if it weren't for a donation from Grand River Enterprises toward the fire hall's $2.6 million price tag, it wouldn't have happened, said Coun. Dave Hill. Coun. Hill is being credited as the first person to reach out to local manufacturing giant Grand River Enterprises for a whopping $2 million donation the company provided. "I don't know how we would've done it without them," he said. The previous Six Nations Fire Hall was shut down unexpectedly in 2013 when federal inspectors discovered the building teeming with dangerously high levels of mould. Firefighters were forced to move into a trailer as their base of operations. The old fire hall was torn down and in its place the new fire hall was built. Firefighters moved into the hall in January. Hundreds turned out for the grand opening ceremony Thursday afternoon in the beautiful, climate-controlled bay that can house up to four pumpers during frigid winter weather. Six Nations Elected Chief Ava Hill thanked GRE for its monetary contribution toward the new fire hall. "They've always been very supportive of our fire services and we would not have been able to build this hall without their support," said Hill. She congratulated Coun. Hill for his advocacy. "Coun. Dave Hill has always been a champion of fire services ever since he's been on council," she said. She praised Six Nations Fire and Emergency Services (SNFES) for its work in keeping the community safe. "You are an essential service for this community and we all depend on you to be there for us during tragedies when we need your assistance," she said. 'Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. We are a better off community because you are there to provide service for us." She encouraged more people to step up as volunteer firefighters. In the past year, there has been more than a doubling in the number of volunteer firefighters with the service, with (Continued on page 3)