The Fernie Fire and Emergency Services Department provides an essential service, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. The first Fernie Fire Department was established in 1904 with a contingent of 100% volunteer members. Since that time, the department has grown to include over 40 paid on call members, a full time Fire Chief, a Deputy Chief, and eight full-time career firefighters. The current Fernie Fire & Emergency Services Department (FFESD) responds to over 400 emergency calls per year and serves over 10,000 residents in the City of Fernie and surrounding areas.

Background

From 1979 to 2022 the Fire and Emergency Services department operated out of fire hall located at 692 3rd Ave. The building, originally designed in 1970 as an automotive service garage, was decommissioned due to significant issues with the facility structure and function and the inability of the site and structure to meet current requirements for a fire hall. The Fire Department has been temporarily relocated to operate out of the City's old Public Works office, adjacent to the Operations Facility at 1492b Railway Ave. A leased Atco trailer is onsite to house turnout gear, and the Operations Facility is utilized for fleet storage. The City of Fernie is now looking to build a new multi-generational purpose-built fire hall to serve the community for the next 50+ years, and also Fernie Fire and Emergency Services to continue providing effective response.

Site Selected: 1500 5th Ave.

On January 23, 2024, at the Regular Council Meeting, Council selected 1500 5th Ave (a portion of Prentice Park) as the site for the City's replacement Fire Hall. This site was chosen as the preferred location as it provides a number of advantages including opportunities for co-use partnerships, adaptability for further growth, and a flexible site layout.

Advancing the Project:

On September 10, 2023, Council voted to move forward the Fire Hall Project based on the final conceptual design for a purpose-built, needs-based facility that will meet the fire and emergency response requirements of our community.

We finalized the pre-planning work (site selection, facility requirements, consultation, and conceptual design) in fall 2024, and awarded the Progressive Design Build Contract in early 2025. The project is currently undergoing detailed design to obtain a cost estimate.

What's Next?

As we work towards a new operational Fire Hall here is an overview of next steps:

• To fund the project, we’ll be looking at a combination of borrowing, reserves, contributions from regional partners, exploring other funding streams, and potential disposition of City-owned properties. We’ll be doing required analysis and appraisals on City lands that could be considered for sale

• A REFERENDUM IS LEGALLY REQUIRED: The City must have the approval of residents and property owners to borrow money. The referendum will ask the question “Do you support borrowing ‘up to x amount’ to build Fernie’s new Fire Hall?” The referendum is planned for the fall of 2025.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Complete the Fire Hall Replacement Project Survey! The survey was developed with input from the Fire Hall Community Working Group to help us understand your questions, concerns, and priorities as we plan for an urgently needed new fire hall. Your input will help shape our communications and outreach ahead of a borrowing referendum this fall.

Survey is open until May 5, 2025.

Check back here for more opportunities to participate in the process.