Goulds chief pulls the alert over loss of volunteers

By Mark Squibb

The Goulds is getting a new fire station, but it’s not coming without setting off alarms for members of the local volunteer fire department.
The new station, which will be built at 371 Main Road, just up from the current station, will boast three drive-through bays, kitchen and living areas, sleeping quarters, training facilities, administrative space, and will be built to state of the art green standards.
Stantec Architecture is finalizing the design, and the project is set to be tendered in early 2026.
And while the new design sounds good on paper, Goulds volunteer Fire Chief Terry Godden said the new fire department comes with a potential reduction of services for Goulds residents.
“Our biggest concern is that this will become a one-pumper station, which means it will be just four people manning this station,” said Godden. “The biggest issue with that is the fact that right now we have 30 volunteer members and three different vehicles, which means we can attend multiple calls… The other issue is that once it becomes a four man station, they’re going to be backing up Mount Pearl, Kilbride, Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, which right now doesn’t happen… The Goulds is used to having it’s own dedicated fire department. It won’t anymore.”
Currently the station is manned by four paid firefighters from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, with volunteers on call to pick up the slack when necessary. Of the 30-odd volunteers, Godden said three are working towards becoming paid firefighters.
St. John’s Regional Fire Department Fire Chief Sherry L. Colford acknowledged the new station will service the entire region, including St. John’s, Paradise and Mount Pearl.
“Currently, the station only serves Goulds, but with full-time staffing, it will become part of the
regional network, improving response times in Goulds and across the area,” said Colford.
As to Godden’s fears the station will be manned by only four firefighters, Colford said the total complement has not yet been determined, but that a minimum of four firefighters will man the station.
Godden said his plea to the City is that the station be manned by a minimum of six firefighters and two vehicles.
The loss of the volunteer service will be a loss for the community, he added.
“We have young people that we bring and train, and it costs them zero dollars out of their pocket, for clothing and PPE and training,” said Godden. “They’re getting the exact same training a paid firefighter gets, and the same accreditation. And that will be lost. Right now, we have five young people doing their firefighting training, which they will have for the rest of their lives.”
Godden said volunteer representatives have spoken with Colford and she has been understanding of their worries. His concerns, however, are still holding steady.
“The people of Goulds don’t understand what they’re going to be losing,” said Godden.
Colford confirmed the volunteer service will end upon completion of the new fire hall.
“For decades, our Goulds volunteers have been incredible, and we deeply appreciate their hard work and dedication,” said Colford. “As we transition to a full-time model, volunteer fire service will come to an end, but we are committed to honoring their legacy; plans are underway to create a dedicated space that recognizes their contributions.”
Godden made it clear he has the upmost respect for paid firefighters, and his concerns are in no way a slight against them.
“They’re trained professionals, I’ve worked alongside them for 25 years, and they’re amazing at the job,” said Godden. “But that’s not the point. The point is, you can’t be in two places at one time. You can’t be in Mount Pearl and respond here.”
Firefighters in the Goulds, paid and volunteer alike, have responded to about 240 calls for service so far this year.
The volunteer department has a long, storied history in the Goulds.
It was formed in 1976, with the first ever official meeting being held on August 15, 1976.
The newly minted volunteer service went through a baptism of fire, when at approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 26,1976 a call was received of a fire in progress at Chafe’s Nursing Home on Petty Harbour Road. Twenty-one people died in the tragedy.
The department was annexed with St. John’s Regional Fire Servies in 1992, which proved a manner of contention at the time, with a number of volunteers resigning.