DALTON, Mass. — For years, the Fire Department has grappled with cramped quarters and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues.

 

Now, a comprehensive Community and Space Needs Analysis is set to shed light on the department’s space needs and potential solutions.

 

On Sept. 1, Mark Waters of Mission CIT will present the report to the Board of Water Commissioners at the Dalton Fire Station, located at 20 Flansburg Avenue. 

 

Currently, the monthly meetings are held on the second floor of the fire station, which requires advance accommodation requests for those with mobility disabilities because of its lack of ADA compliance.

 

The press release advises anyone who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting to contact the ADA Coordinator at (413) 684-6118, ext. 2, in advance.

 

"While the District will do its best to accommodate you, certain accommodation requires the hiring of outside contractors who may not be available if requested immediately before the meeting," the press release said. 

 

The presentation was initially set for Aug. 25 but was postponed because the Board of Water Commissioners didn’t have a quorum. 

 

It has been said numerous times that the department does not have enough space for its fire trucks, offices and training, downtime areas, and for all the equipment it needs. 

 

This, coupled with the station's lack of compliance with ADA requirements, which has resulted in open meeting law violations, has made it clear to the district that they need to find solutions. 

 

Years ago, when ADA was first enacted, the district looked into installing an elevator. However, it was determined that it was not feasible. The committee will investigate whether there are newer or other strategies to become ADA compliant.

 

Waters was hired by the Building Needs Committee to conduct the analysis.

 

"This report represents the most detailed assessment ever conducted of the Dalton Fire Department’s operational needs, community risks, staffing model, and the condition and limitations of the existing fire station," the press release said. 

 

"It includes a full review of community demographics, emergency response patterns, apparatus and fleet readiness, training needs, health and safety considerations, and long-term facility requirements. 

 

"The analysis also evaluates the feasibility of expanding the current station following the District’s effort to purchase the adjacent property." 

 

During the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from the consultant and ask questions to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the fire department as call volume increases and service demands continue to evolve, the press release said. 

 

In October, the Fire District established a Building Needs Committee after years of efforts to address the department's condition have fallen flat.

 

Several ideas have previously been floated, including building an addition, clearing outdated and unused equipment, reorganizing the space, and renting space next to the station. 

 

However, questions remained about whether they are feasible and compatible with the condition of the existing building.

 

The committee is charged with evaluating community needs and expectations, staffing and facility requirements, and developing short- and long-term plans to address these needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 

 

"This report is being released publicly to ensure full transparency, community awareness, and to invite broad public participation as the Building Needs Committee begins evaluating future capital decisions," the press release said. 

 

"The findings will directly inform upcoming discussions regarding fire station modifications, long-term planning, and the continued evolution of Dalton’s combination fire/EMS system."