Black mould at station drives out firefighters

Firefighters and equipment from a Kanata fire station have been redeployed to other locations after black mould was discovered at the Eagleson Road firehall.

Ottawa fire Chief Gerry Pingitore said in a statement that emergency services should not be disrupted as crews and equipment work on a “dynamic deployment model” to maintain coverage in the district.

After an initial air-quality analysis in late November, it was determined on Dec. 11 that air quality in Station 41 was safe “so long as mould was not disturbed.”

But according to Pingitore’s statement, more mould was discovered on Dec. 14 once work began to clear the already-discovered fungus.

Three days later, the decision was made to redeploy personnel while the remediation work continued.

Pingitore said the fire department is working with the city and the fire services’ health and safety committee to ensure the work to remove the mould continues smoothly.

It is unclear when work to clear the mould will be completed.

Allan Hubley, city councillor for Kanata South, said he believes any concerns about firefighters’ safety “is being addressed under the chief’s plan.”

“By deploying the trucks and people out of the station immediately, a quick and complete remediation can be completed,” he said.

“It is unfortunate when incidents like this happen,” he continued, “but I do have confidence that the proposed response is the best for my community and our men and women of the Ottawa Fire Service.”

In serious cases, the most common black mould symptoms include chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat, rashes, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches.