Northfield Fire Chief Concerned About Longer Response Time

There are several concerns for a Lunenburg County Fire Department with limited access to a road in their area. A section of the Bruhm Road in Branch LaHave has been closed since November after a culvert washed away. Northfield Fire Chief John MacKay says safety is a priority. However, they are faced with longer response times. He says, “The response to that area is certainly going to be increased by a minimum of five minutes. If we have a structure fire, a delay of five minutes certainly doesn’t sound like much but it certainly could make the difference between saving the structure or not or if somebody is in the structure, getting them out alive or not.” Construction on a new bridge could start in February or not until June. MacKay says its worrisome that longer response times could be an issue for the rest of the year. MacKay says they have mutual aid agreements with Oakhill, New Germany and Midville. He says it helps but the delay is still significant for public safety.