Today is a big day in Meaford as that community officially opens its new fire hall.
The new 700 thousand dollar building now can house all of the fire departments equipment under one roof.
Deputy Fire Chief Dan Shaw says this is going to make a huge difference for all members of the department as far as training and their ability to respond to various emergencies in the community.
He says the new fire hall has been in the works for almost 20 years and is something the community really needed.
Shaw says a good example of how the new building is making the department more efficient was the Reeds restaurant fire two weeks ago.
He says before the the new fire hall was constructed, the department was spread out in four different buildings and would not have been able to respond as rapidly as they did to the restaurant fire.
Shaw says the open house will show off not only the Fire departments equipment and new home but also allow the volunteer firefighters to meet and talk to the public.
He says they will also put on demonstrations on how they rescue people from car wrecks and demonstrate the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Shaw says the highlight of the day will be a fundraising dance to take place in the new fire hall Saturday evening.
The money raised from the dance will be used to help pay for some other improvements to the fire hall.
The open house at the Fire Hall on the west side of town goes from 1 PM until 4 PM when the official opening of the hall will take place.
