"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.

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.

The old fire hall was torn down and in its place the new fire hall was built.

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

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close to 50 volunteers now responding to calls.

Steve Williams, president of GRE, said a good fire service for a community the size of Six Nations is essential.

"We need a good fire department. Even our own place ­ GRE itself - is a big place; about a million sq. feet. If we ever had a fire, all these other fire services (outside of Six Nations) would have to be there as well. It's just way too big for Six Nations (fire services).

Williams said GRE was glad to be able to help.

"We're very proud to be able to donate some money to this, to make this a reality on behalf of the community," said Williams. "We'll continue supporting the fire department like we always have. It's nice to see this has finally happened. I'm very proud that we were able to be a part of this."

The fire chief expounded upon the importance of family in being a dedicated career firefighter, as well as the sacrifices and groundwork previous fire chiefs laid before him.

Miller became fire chief last year.

"One of the things I've learned over my 17-year career now is that family is paramount in everything that we do," said Miller. "Over the past year that I've been able to come home to Six Nations and even be a part of this project, having a caring and understanding wife (and children) and the extended family and our fire service family is important. Without those elements being part of it, it's very difficult to have a career in emergency services."

He thanked all the people involved throughout the whole process.

"This new headquarters is going to allow us to strengthen the foundation that was put in here by previous fire chiefs," he said. "This building is also going to allow us to grow... and move forward with the professionalization of our department."

There were bumps along the way, he acknowledged, but now, "Here we are in this beautiful building. The end result and the light at the end of the tunnel has brought this to fruition for us. This is an incredible building. It's going to allow us to provide a safer community."

The service is also currently celebrating its 50th year of service to the community.

Crowds toured the state-of­-the-art fire hall while kids posed with the fire department's mascot Sparky.

The fire hall boasts a large bay, training room, four small bedrooms for recovering fire­fighters, a lounge, a full commercial-grade stainless steel kitchen, reception area, locker rooms, and private offices for the fire chief and deputy fire chiefs.

Community member John Hill, who works with clients at Community Living, brought them to the grand opening ceremony because one of them wanted to ride the antique fire truck.

He was told it wasn't working and now he wants to try and raise funds to restore the truck so his client can take it for a spin.

Hill said he is thrilled the community finally has a new fire hall. "It's been a long time coming."