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Fire station eyed for Santa Clara

TUPPER LAKE – Without its own fire department, the town of Santa Clara relies on neighboring Tupper Lake for firefighting services, but that could soon change.

Under a new proposal presented by Tupper Lake fire Chief Carl Steffen, Santa Clara would create its own fire substation, replete with its own pumper truck and firefighters.

At a recent Tupper Lake board meeting, Steffen explained the idea has been in the works for three years, when the two municipalities in 2013 were in contract talks to expand Tupper Lake’s fire coverage into the southern end of Santa Clara. Tupper Lake firefighters respond to fewer than a dozen calls each year in Santa Clara.

He said Santa Clara town Supervisor Mickey Webb suggested to put into service a used fire truck owned by the town and to begin using a two-bay fire substation housed in the newly constructed town hall. The Santa Clara fire personnel would become part of the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s a win-win,” Steffen said. “It will cost the village nothing and actually save us money, while having a closer station will allow for quicker response time, potentially saving 15 minutes.”

Santa Clara Department of Public Works drivers or volunteers would be trained by Steffen and other Tupper Lake firefighters in exterior firefighting, which requires much less training than a Class A fireman, or interior firefighters. Interior firefighting requires four personnel on scene: two inside the burning structure and two outside, Steffen said. Exterior firefighting requires a team of two on scene, manning the truck and pump.

Steffen envisions the Santa Clara team to be first on the scene, attacking a fire there.

“They could slow it down and buy us time to get there,” Steffen said. It would also give time for them to call off the Tupper Lake department for calls such as downed trees or false alarm activation, he said.

“It would save us wear and tear on vehicles and fuel costs,” he added.

Tupper Lake village Mayor Paul Maroun said Santa Clara town officials agreed to pay for the costs of creating the station and maintaining the equipment.

Before taking effect, the move requires a by-law change to create a fourth village fire department company. Steffen said the department will vote on it at its October meeting.

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