Welland Fire and Emergency Services will transfer its fire dispatch services to the City of St. Catharines on July 15, a change the city says will strengthen emergency communications and regional co-ordination across Niagara.
According to a City of Welland media release, residents will continue to receive the dependable emergency response they rely on. The move ties Welland's fire communications into a neighbouring municipality as the region looks at ways to co-ordinate emergency services more closely.
The dispatch change is one of several announcements the City of Welland has made in recent weeks covering everything from online services to housing and summer programming.
New online tools for residents
The city has launched Virtual City Hall, a secure online platform that gives property owners around-the-clock access to their tax and water accounts. A new municipal mobile app has also rolled out, offering residents centralized access to city services, information and updates.
Housing and infrastructure gains
Welland has surpassed its provincial housing target for the third consecutive year, securing funding through Ontario's Building Faster Fund, the city announced.
The city has also secured $10.7 million through the Government of Ontario's Health and Safety Water Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The money will support critical infrastructure improvements in the Broadway neighbourhood.
Welland City Council, meanwhile, has approved a funding strategy to meet the city's $17.8 million local share commitment toward the South Niagara Hospital project. Council has also adopted an updated Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan that will guide future investments in parks, recreation facilities, trails, programs and cultural spaces as the city grows.
Music returns to Merritt Park
Closer to home for summer plans, the city's award-winning Concerts on the Canal series returns to Merritt Park this season with free live music. The series was named one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario in February.
For now, the most immediate change on the calendar is the dispatch transition. As of July 15, fire dispatch for Welland will be handled through the City of St. Catharines, with local fire response continuing as usual.
