Prince George’s new Fire Hall No. 1 is on pace to be ready by the end of the month.
The city says construction is largely complete and fire suppression crews and equipment are expected to move into the building very soon, while administrative staff has been moving into the building since late December.
Having crews and equipment strategically located at its more centralized site on Massey Drive is set to improve Prince George Fire Rescue’s eight-minute response time, a factor that's been touted as critical for keeping fires contained to one room.
After eight minutes, fires can spread into the rest of a structure, which greatly increasing the risk of fatalities.
“The building design itself will also serve to improve response times. Fire Rescue crews’ workspaces and living quarters are located in close proximity to the fire apparatus. This means that when the fire alarm rings, the firefighters are able to quickly access their gear, board the fire trucks, and leave the building,” says Fire Chief John Iverson in a news release this morning (Jan. 6).
“The new fire hall is able to house modern firefighting equipment and is built to modern, post-disaster standards, which is essential for the City’s main fire hall and emergency operations hub. The facility will also improve our ability to protect our firefighters with upgraded industrial hygiene and decontamination technology.”
Landscaping at the new facility is expected to be completed by the end of the summer this year, while the Fire Operations Communications Centre and Dispatch is scheduled to be fully operational by the fall.
“Council is pleased that emergency services in Prince George are taking such a significant step forward with the completion of this important, state-of-the-art facility, which will enhance public health and safety in our City,” says Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall.
“We would like to thank City staff, the design team, and construction crews for their hard work on this impressive new building, which will be serving our community for many years to come.”
Located next to City Hall at Seventh Avenue and Dominion Street, the city’s older Fire Hall is more than 60 years old and no longer able to meet current standards as a fire and rescue facility, Emergency Operations Centre and Fire Operations Communications Centre.
The replacement for Fire Hall No. 1 was proposed by the City of Prince George in 2017 and was voted 83 per cent in favour by the public following a referendum in October 2017.
In 2018, the City appointed HCMA Architects and Planning of Vancouver and an engineering design team led by L&M Engineering of Prince George to design the replacement Fire Hall No. 1.
Local company IDL Projects served as the general contractor. In all, more than 250 people were employed during the construction of the new fire hall.
Prince George City Council will receive a report on the new hall during the Jan. 11 meeting of council.
