Fernie has initiated the development of a specialized fire hall to provide firefighters with a safer working environment and expedite their response to emergencies. The city conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new fire hall located at 1500 5th Ave., situated within Prentice Park.
According to city officials, the firefighters are anticipated to relocate to the new facility by the fall of 2027. Currently, Fernie firefighters operate from temporary spaces at the public works yard, necessitating them to shuttle between buildings to access their equipment and vehicles before responding to calls.
Fire chief Brendan Morgan highlighted that the current setup causes delays, taking four minutes instead of one minute to exit the fire hall. The upcoming fire hall will offer increased space for vehicles, enhanced training facilities, and a segregated area to isolate contaminated gear from clean zones where firefighters congregate.
Morgan emphasized the importance of having separate clean and ‘dirty’ spaces within the fire hall due to potential exposure to carcinogens and other hazards during emergency responses. Additionally, the new facility will house an emergency operations center for coordinating responses during wildfires and other crises.
The decision to construct the fire hall follows extensive discussions on its placement. City officials assert the necessity for a modern fire hall to address present and future emergency requirements, especially with the growing community and ongoing wildfire risks during summers.
Despite concerns raised by residents like Bill Sailer regarding the location within Prentice Park, Mayor Nic Milligan defended the choice, stating that after thorough evaluations, it was deemed the most suitable site based on size, accessibility, and meeting the firefighters’ operational needs.
Funding of $7 million was secured through the Strategic Priorities Fund for the fire hall project, eliminating the need for the city to borrow the full amount. Mayor Milligan expressed gratitude for the grant, which alleviates the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Currently, Fernie Fire and Emergency Services consist of eight career firefighters and 25 paid on-call firefighters. While the new fire hall may not immediately result in additional career firefighters, Fire Chief Morgan believes it will equip the department to adapt to the evolving needs of the growing Fernie community.