Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 staff
The Esquimalt Lagoon Bridge is a weighty issue, as far as Colwood Fire Rescue is concerned.
Colwood Fire RescueB次元官网网址檚 addition of heavier equipment over the years, including engine, ladder and rescue trucks, are too heavy for the bridge, said Chief John Cassidy. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a concern for the fire department, but we have pre-planned for it and itB次元官网网址檚 not a major issue at this time,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been dealing with the Lagoon Bridge for quite a while.B次元官网网址� Even the largest, heaviest motorhomes that are a frequent sight along the lagoon do not approach the weight of ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 equipment, he added.
The City has downgraded the weight limit, and the bridge is inspected annually and undergoes maintenance annually.
Cassidy believes ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 engineering department did explore replacing the existing one with a heavily constructed, post-disaster capable bridge, able to withstand storm surges as well in the past, but the cost was too prohibitive. Any replacement would involve erosion studies and sea rises as well, Cassidy noted. B次元官网网址淚t allows us to maintain safety until thereB次元官网网址檚 a long-term plan.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: Car and motorcycle collide in fatal Colwood crash
The fire department takes a pincer approach to calls of an undetermined address along Ocean Boulevard by having the heavier equipment approach via Lagoon Road while lighter vehicles use the bridge.
Cassidy said the fatality last week is an example of how that approach is utilized. Colwood was responding to an alarm at Dunsmuir Middle School with mutual automatic aid from View Royal when the call regarding the motorcyclist came in. Colwood was already on scenes when View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 engine arrived and stopped short of the bridge. B次元官网网址淚t worked out very well in terms of response,B次元官网网址� Cassidy said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate the patient did not survive.B次元官网网址�
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