In the event of a major earthquake, fire trucks would be buried in the ruble of the Courtenay Street fire hall, leaving residents to fend on their own.
Even a minor earthquake would damage the building to such an extent that it would hinder the fire department’s ability to respond to calls for assistance.
Dan Ouellette, director of fire and emergency services, addressed the issue at the February 17 City of Powell River committee-of-the-whole meeting. He is recommending that a new emergency services facility be included as a priority in council’s strategic plan.
Ouellette said the department was asking council to revisit a motion from March 2001 that recognized the need for a new emergency services facility. “What we’re looking to do is try to get that back on the five-year capital plan with a view of building that facility in year four or five of that plan. That would give us time to do some planning, choose some sites and locations,” he said. “Once a site is determined, we could start applying for grants and funding.”
In 1994, the main fire hall was moved from the Cranberry training centre to Courtenay as a result of recommendations contained in the fire protection survey prepared by the Fire Commissioner’s Office and an overall fire department restructuring. The survey recommended that a new fire hall should be constructed at a central location that meets Fire Underwriters Survey road distance criteria for maximum emergency response for fire apparatus.
Two years later, council approved a main fire hall facility study, which was completed by Howard|Bingham|Hill Architects in November 1996. In 2001, the city created a reserve for a new fire hall. The March 26, 2001 motion stated $50,000 would be set aside each year for a new fire hall.
Despite the motion, only $50,000 was put into the reserve and that was used for maintenance.
With two recent earthquakes on the south coast, Councillor Dave Formosa said it appears that the fire trucks should be parked outside. “We talk about building a library,” he said. “I think we should be building a fire hall first, if this is reality, which it seems to be.”
Formosa said he wants to know that a structural engineer can’t repair the building. “If they can’t repair the building for a decent price and we’re going to stay in the fire protection business, then we have no choice. We have to build this.”
Because there is a “vacuum of having a process of planning,” Councillor Chris McNaughton said, projects are prioritized based on “who can invigorate community support first. The library is out of the gate.”
Stan Westby, chief administrative officer, said the management group had a series of strategic planning sessions recently and four priorities were identified: emergency services facility; new library; wide area network upgrade; and completing the records management project.
While he applauded the work Charlie Kregel, Powell River Public Library chief librarian, has done on a new library, Westby said he thought it had been done in isolation. “We really need to be considering these other projects,” he said. “I agree that an emergency services centre has to be a very top priority. Our staff agree.”
Council is planning its own strategic planning session in the near future. The issue of an emergency services facility will be discussed then.
