Fernie Breaks Ground on Purpose-Built Fire Hall to Improve Emergency Response

Noah Chen

8/13/20262 min read

Construction is underway on a new purpose-built fire hall in Fernie, B.C., a project city officials say will provide firefighters with a safer workplace while allowing crews to respond to emergencies more quickly.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at 1500 5th Ave., where the facility is being constructed on a portion of Prentice Park.

The city expects firefighters to move into the new building in fall 2027.

Temporary Facilities Slow Response Times

Fernie Fire Chief Brendan Morgan said firefighters are currently operating from temporary facilities at the city’s public works yard.

Crews have to move between different buildings to collect their equipment and access fire trucks before responding to a call, adding several minutes to the process.

“Currently, it takes us what should take one minute to get out of the fire hall, it takes us four minutes,” Morgan said.

The new facility is designed to streamline that process while providing additional room for emergency vehicles and improved training facilities.

New Hall Designed With Firefighter Safety in Mind

Morgan said one of the most important improvements will be the ability to separate contaminated equipment from areas where firefighters eat, work and spend time between calls.

“It gives us the ability to have a clean space in the fire hall and what's called a ‘dirty space,’” he said.

Firefighters can be exposed to carcinogens and other hazardous substances while responding to fires and other emergencies, which can then be carried back to the station on protective clothing and equipment.

Separating contaminated and clean areas is intended to reduce those occupational risks.

The new building will also contain space for an emergency operations centre that could be activated during major events such as wildfires and other community emergencies.

Location Has Drawn Opposition

The project follows years of debate over where Fernie’s new fire hall should be built.

City officials say the community requires a modern facility capable of meeting both current and future emergency-response needs as Fernie grows and wildfire remains an ongoing summer threat.

Some residents agree firefighters need a new facility but oppose using a portion of Prentice Park.

Resident Bill Sailer said the park has long served as a location for baseball and community gatherings.

“Fire department's amazing. These guys are unbelievable,” Sailer said. “They need a new fire hall, but not in Prentice Park.”

He said the city should have explored other locations more extensively.

Mayor Defends Prentice Park Site

Mayor Nic Milligan said council understands the concerns but continues to believe Prentice Park offers the best location for the facility.

“I understand this is a difficult change, but ultimately through all the deliberations, it was deemed to be the best site,” Milligan said.

He said council considered alternative locations before determining the Prentice Park property offered the strongest combination of size, accessibility and ability to meet the fire department’s operational requirements.

$7M Grant Reduces Cost to Local Taxpayers

Fernie received $7 million for the project through the Strategic Priorities Fund.

Milligan said the city had previously introduced a borrowing bylaw to help finance construction, but the grant means Fernie will no longer need to borrow the full amount initially anticipated.

He said the funding will reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.

Fernie Fire and Emergency Services currently consists of eight career firefighters and 25 paid on-call firefighters.

Morgan said the new building will not immediately lead to additional career positions, but it will provide the department with space and infrastructure to adapt as the community’s emergency-response needs evolve.

“Fernie's growing and ... our community continues to change,” Morgan said.

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