Firefighter safety front and centre at new Caledon Station 310 opening

May 14, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The words “Everyone Goes Home” stand tall on the bay doors at the brand new fire station 310 in Caledon, a station designed specifically with the safety of its firefighters and efficiency in mind.

The opening was celebrated on May 11 with Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, Caledon OPP, and local dignitaries.

Deputy Fire Chief with Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, Jeff Fairbarn, opened the celebration.

The new station, he says, was “thoughtfully designed to support both emergency response and the long-term health and well-being of all firefighters and staff.”

Station 310 is equipped with various upgrades to ensure the health and longevity of its firefighters, including dedicated decontamination zones.

Inside the designated decontamination zones will be washing machines for bunker gear and packs, as well as shower spaces.

These dedicated spaces now create a clear divide between “clean” and “contaminated” areas in the station.

Colours can also be seen on various doors in the station – green, yellow, and red – marking the potential contamination level of the space, top of mind for all in the station.

Fairbarn says the modern layout, integrated safety features, and every aspect of the facility reflect a commitment to “creating a clean, efficient, and more supportive working environment.”

“It’s spaces that enable our crews to perform at their best while helping others to reduce risk by supporting health over the course of their careers.”

The new station, he adds, will improve response times, enhance coordination, and strengthen their ability to “keep residents safe.”

One important addition to the station is a brand-new bank for their air cylinders, allowing their firefighters to refill clean air into their cylinders, eight at a time, instead of the previous six.

He estimates that, historically, it takes approximately 10 minutes to fill each one, which Fairbarn notes becomes crucial when you’re possibly using hundreds on one fire, with another potentially around the corner.

With grant funding, they also secured the same model for Station 303.

“This is what saves us so much time and allows us to actually go in and fight the fire,” says Fairbarn. “When you talk about not having the resources, like adequate air supply for our staff to breathe, they then have to fight that fire defensively, and maybe not as aggressive as we possibly could.”

Located at 12357 Chinguacousy Road, the station is said to be positioned to serve one of Caledon’s growing neighbourhoods.

“This fire station will serve one of Caledon’s fastest-growing corridors improving coverage for those existing neighborhoods and future development,” said Mayor Annette Groves. “By improving emergency services coverage, we’re ensuring residents and businesses continue to receive the high standards of public safety and service excellency they deserve. The new station reduces response times and supports the Town’s commitment to high standards of public safety as the community continues to grow.”

Groves noted that Station 310 incorporates energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible building practices.

Ruby Sahota, MP for Brampton North-Caledon, also attended the event and said the day was about more than just the new building.

Sahota remarked the new station showcases investment in safety and community, adding that not only does it represent a commitment to protecting families and first responders, but also ensuring that Caledon continues to grow with the infrastructure and emergency services residents deserve.

Fire Chief Dave Pelayo said that the station represents a lot of planning, collaboration, and ensuring Caledon is getting the level of emergency service the community needs.

“Caledon is growing quickly, and as it grows, our responsibility is to make sure that emergency services grow with it. Station 310 does exactly that, it improves response times, it fills an important service gap, and allows us to better serve the residents of South Caledon and right here in Mayfield West,” said Pelayo.

Pelayo said the station was built to be prepared, with their apparatus bay, training rooms, and living areas.

He added the station was designed to keep their firefighters healthy over the long term, with separate contaminated and clean areas and building systems that reduce exposure risks.

The station, he noted, is a modern, low-carbon facility with energy-efficient systems and rooftop solar.

“It shows that you can build an essential infrastructure that is smart, responsible, and future-focused, all at the same time,” said Pelayo.

The brand-new facility also serves as a space for their regional training courses, separate from the firefighters’ living quarters.

Also in the brand-new building is a gym, storage space, living space, and a kitchen and dining area, each space thoughtfully designed.

The living spaces have been designed to address cross-contamination issues during times such as the COVID-19 pandemic; the rooms can be separated into platoons without risk of exposure to one another.

Each detail has been thought through, even down to their dining room, specifically designed to be big enough to fit everyone in the station at once, creating a common area for them all to enjoy together.

“To our firefighters, this station is here for you. It is here to support the work you do every single day and to make sure you have a safe, functional space to operate from as you continue serving our community professionally and with pride,” said Pelayo.