Residents Raise Concerns Over Location Of Proposed Bristol Fire Station

Bristol Borough’s four fire companies have committed to merging into a single centralized firehouse, a decision aimed at improving response times and operations. However, the proposed location has sparked discussion about its potential impact on existing green spaces and gardens.

Steve Reeves, president of the Bristol Borough Fire Association, discussed the consolidation plan with the borough council during at the Monday evening.

The move stems from a 2021 study by the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development, which recommended consolidating operations to address issues including staffing, recruitment, and aging facilities.

“All Bristol borough fire companies are committed to moving into a single centralized firehouse,” Reeves said. “All Bristol Borough fire companies are committed to reorganizing and operating as one organisation.”

The proposed location for the new station on the open space off Jefferson Avenue between the spurline park and canal, in an area that currently includes the Adams Hollow Community Garden and basketball courts.

The location has raised concerns among some residents about the potential loss of green space, including signs opposing the plan being placed in the borough.

The new fire station is envisioned as a facility that will serve multiple purposes, including as a community room and training space for the police department. The borough is seeking grant funds for the station.

Last month, the council hired architect Tracy Miller at $125 per hour to assist in creating concept plans for the new firehouse.

Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe addressed concerns over the location on Monday.

“We sat here as a council and we said there will never not be a garden, and the mayor has spoken this numerous times. There will never not be a garden, and there will never not be a basketball court,” DiGuiseppe said.

The council president said if the garden and basketball courts need to be moved, they will be rebuilt better than before.

DiGuiseppe emphasized that plans are still in the preliminary stages, and the council is committed to maintaining the garden and basketball courts, even if they need to be relocated.

Chris Truelove, a resident of New Buckley Street, raised questions about potential flooding issues caused by a new fire station.

“I just want to make sure that we’re not going to get any excess storm runoff into the canal that would damage it and possibly create a situation for the neighborhood,” Truelove said, noting there has been flooding in the past on New Buckley Street.

Susan Watkins, another resident, expressed concern about the loss of open space.

“To take away all this open space, I personally think would be a mistake,” she said. “There’s a lot of peace tranquilly, a lot of recreational space.”

Watkins stated that her and her husband enjoy gardening and they want the gardens saved.

If the trees are taken down at the site, “you can’t replace the trees,” she told council.

Council members assured residents that their concerns would be taken into consideration as the project moves forward.

Jesse Walker, a resident of Brook Street, said he was concerned about the location of the proposed fire station and the impacts it could have.

DiGuiseppe stated several times that no final decisions have been made regarding the exact location or design of the new firehouse.

The consolidation effort aims to address several challenges faced by the borough’s fire service.

Reeves highlighted that the current fire stations that range from 46 to 163 years old, including one with structural problems.

The longtime borough firefighter said the current stations are not designed for modern operations and lack key amenities, including sleeping facilities for duty crews.

“None of the current Bristol Borough fire stations are designed for modern day firefighter operations,” Reeves explained. He added that the new station would improve response times and provide better resources for firefighters.

Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III expressed his support for the work to merge the fire companies.

“As the mayor, my goal is to create the best possible firehouse to also bring energy and excitement back to fire safety, back to what they’re doing, help them recruit, help them grow,” he said.

The consolidation plan has garnered support from the council and fire officials, who see it as a necessary step to improve fire safety in the borough.

The borough’s fire service is presently made up of almost entirely volunteers and paid, full-time firefighters would cost more than $1.5 million, Reeves said.

Also at the council meeting, the body approved the hiring of Mohammed Elsayed and Tyler Giberson as part-time police officers.

In addition, they accepted the October 1 retirement of Code Enforcement Officer John Miller.

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