Fernie Fire and Emergency Services has been serving the community since 1904, responding to a growing number of emergency calls across Fernie and surrounding areas.
Overview
We're undertaking the Fire Hall Replacement Project to ensure Fernie Fire and Emergency Services can continue to respond quickly, safely, and effectively to emergencies now and for generations to come. The current temporary facility does not meet the operational, safety, and space requirements of a modern fire department. Building a new, purpose-built fire hall is essential to support emergency response, protect firefighter health and safety, meet regulatory requirements, and serve our growing community over the next 50+ years.
Background
The Fire Hall Replacement Project will deliver a single, purpose-built facility that brings operations together, improves response efficiency, and supports the health, safety, and effectiveness of firefighters serving the Fernie community.
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From 1979 to 2022, the department operated out of a building at 692 3rd Avenue, originally constructed as an automotive service garage, that was never designed to function as a permanent fire hall.
Over time, the facility developed significant structural and functional deficiencies and could no longer meet modern fire hall standards, leading to its decommissioning in 2022.
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The Department is currently operating from multiple temporary locations, including the City's former Public Works office adjacent to the Operations Facility at 1492B Railway Avenue.
Turn out gear is housed in a leased ATCO trailer, and vehicles are stored in the operations facility.
While these interim arrangements allow service to continue, they are not sustainable long-term.
Where We're At
November to February 2026 - OCP Amendment Process
To allow construction of a Fire Hall on the selected site, the OCP must be amended to change the zoning of 1500-5th Ave from “Park” to “Institutional,” and to include Fernie Fire Hall as a key institutional use. A ten-day public input opportunity was opened on November 14 as part of early consultation prior to a public hearing and readings of the proposed amendments. A public hearing is scheduled for February, 17 2026.
Spring 2026 - Break ground on construction with a fully operational Fernie Fire Hall in summer of 2027.
Follow Our Progress
On November 12, 2025, Council directed staff to advance the project from 70% detail design stage to 100% final design stage.
Council approved the proposed project budget and funding strategy for the new fire hall. The proposed funding strategy for this project included using a mixture of City reserves, grant funding, a contribution from the Regional District of East Kootenay (as defined in our fire service agreement for providing fire service at the ski hill,) and borrowing. Council adopted the Fire Hall Loan Authorization BylawFire Hall Loan Authorization Bylaw(External link) at the Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025.
The City completed due diligence and preconstruction work for the Fire Hall Replacement project.
The City of Fernie and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2827 hosted open houses to provide an update on the progress towards building a new fire hall and provided tours of the temporary facility to give a firsthand look at the current facility and operational challenges faced by the Fire and Emergency Services Team.
The City's contractor completed the conceptual design and costing phase and presented a Final Planning ReportFinal Planning Report(External link) to Council on September 10, 2024. Council determined to move the project forward based on the recommendations in the report.
In June, the City hired a contractor, Arcadis Architects (Canada) Inc., to begin the pre-planning phase for a new Fernie Fire Hall. During this phase, the City issued a Request for Expression of Interest
(External link) for any parties that had an interest in offering land for this project, sharing space, or funding opportunities with the fire hall, the Community Working Group (CWG)Community Working Group (CWG)(External link) was formed, and there were opportunities for the community to provide input through an Open House and community survey.
The City's contractor presented their report on site selection and community engagementreport on site selection and community engagement(External link) and on January 23, 2024, at the Regular Meeting(External link), Council selected 1500 5th Ave. (a portion of Prentice Park) as the site for the City’s replacement Fire Hall.
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Feedback Opportunities
Open Engagement
We are not gathering feedback at this time.
Community Working Goup
As part of the pre-planning phase in July of 2023, the City formed the Community Working Group (CWG) to represent diverse interest of the community and inform the project. During the pre-planning phase, the CWG focused on reviewing potential project partners and supporting site selection. The CWG continues to meet regularly to advise the project team and provide broad community perspective on key elements of the project.
In addition to forming the CWG, the City issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) in July of 2023. The REOI was intended to explore and discuss co-use opportunities or potential private sites for the new Fire Hall.
Previous Engagement
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Fire Hall Project OCP Amendments Comment Form
As part of early consultation, feedback was collected and presented to Council to help inform next steps.
Comment form submissions closed on November 24, 2025.
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Fire Hall Replacement Project Survey
Fernie Fire and Emergency Services held an open house and facility tours on April 10 and 12. The events were offered to the public to get a firsthand look at the current temporary facility and the operational challenges faced by our Fire and Emergency Services team.
Following the open house an online survey was opened to collect feedback on the project. The survey closed on May 5, 2025
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Engagement Survey
Comments from the open house and online survey will be provided to Council to inform their decision on the final site selection.
Survey closed November 6, 2023.
