Fire Hall Replacement

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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.

From 1979 to 2022 the Fire and Emergency Services department operated out of a temporary 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.

Project Timeline

June 2023 to January 2024 - Pre-Planning Phase Begins, Site Selection and Community Engagement

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 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) 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 engagement and on January 23, 2024, at the Regular Meeting, Council selected 1500 5th Ave. (a portion of Prentice Park) as the site for the City’s replacement Fire Hall.

January to September 2024 - Facility concept, design costing, and Final Planning Report

The City's contractor completed the conceptual design and costing phase and presented a Final Planning Report to Council on September 10, 2024. Council determined to move the project forward based on the recommendations in the report.

April 2025 - Fire Hall Preconstruction Work and Open House & Temporary Facility Tours

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.

July to September 2025 - Project Budget and Funding Strategy

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 Bylaw at the Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025.

November 2025 - Advanced 100% Final Design Stage & Early OCP Amendments Consultation

On November 12, 2025, Council directed staff to advance the project from 70% detail design stage to 100% final design stage.

What's Next:

November to January 2026 - OCP Amendment Process * If Advanced

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.

Spring 2026 - Break ground on construction with a fully operational Fernie Fire Hall in summer of 2027.

Seeking Input on Proposed OCP Amendments

To move ahead with building the new Fernie Fire Hall at 1500–5th Avenue (a portion of Prentice Park), the City must update the Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP currently designates this area as “Park,” and an amendment is required to change the designation to “Institutional,” which would allow the Fire Hall to be constructed on the selected site.

Share Your Feedback

As part of the required early consultation process, we’re asking residents to review the proposed changes and share their comments through a brief feedback form.

The form is available from November 14 to November 24, 2025.
Complete it online below, or submit a paper copy in person at City Hall.

All input received will be summarized and shared with Council on December 9, 2025. If Council chooses to move forward with the proposed OCP amendments, then a formal public hearing on the OCP and zoning amendments will occur before third reading (January 2026.)


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.

From 1979 to 2022 the Fire and Emergency Services department operated out of a temporary 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.

Project Timeline

June 2023 to January 2024 - Pre-Planning Phase Begins, Site Selection and Community Engagement

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 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) 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 engagement and on January 23, 2024, at the Regular Meeting, Council selected 1500 5th Ave. (a portion of Prentice Park) as the site for the City’s replacement Fire Hall.

January to September 2024 - Facility concept, design costing, and Final Planning Report

The City's contractor completed the conceptual design and costing phase and presented a Final Planning Report to Council on September 10, 2024. Council determined to move the project forward based on the recommendations in the report.

April 2025 - Fire Hall Preconstruction Work and Open House & Temporary Facility Tours

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.

July to September 2025 - Project Budget and Funding Strategy

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 Bylaw at the Regular Meeting on September 9, 2025.

November 2025 - Advanced 100% Final Design Stage & Early OCP Amendments Consultation

On November 12, 2025, Council directed staff to advance the project from 70% detail design stage to 100% final design stage.

What's Next:

November to January 2026 - OCP Amendment Process * If Advanced

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.

Spring 2026 - Break ground on construction with a fully operational Fernie Fire Hall in summer of 2027.

Seeking Input on Proposed OCP Amendments

To move ahead with building the new Fernie Fire Hall at 1500–5th Avenue (a portion of Prentice Park), the City must update the Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP currently designates this area as “Park,” and an amendment is required to change the designation to “Institutional,” which would allow the Fire Hall to be constructed on the selected site.

Share Your Feedback

As part of the required early consultation process, we’re asking residents to review the proposed changes and share their comments through a brief feedback form.

The form is available from November 14 to November 24, 2025.
Complete it online below, or submit a paper copy in person at City Hall.

All input received will be summarized and shared with Council on December 9, 2025. If Council chooses to move forward with the proposed OCP amendments, then a formal public hearing on the OCP and zoning amendments will occur before third reading (January 2026.)


  • Fire Hall Site Selection

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    At the Regular Council Meeting on January 23, 2024, Council will consider selecting a site to be the home of a new Fire Hall for the City’s Fire and Emergency Services Department.

    After an extensive site selection process as part of the pre-planning phase of the Fire Hall Replacement project, a portion of Prentice Park (1500 5th Ave) is being presented as the recommended site option for the new Fire Hall.

    Report to Council: RFD Fire Hall Site Selection

    In 2022, the old Fire Hall at 692 3rd Ave 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. At that time, FFESD relocated to operate out of the City's old Public Works office, adjacent to the Operations Facility at 1492b Railway Ave and a project was initiated to select a new site for constructing a purpose-built fire hall to serve the community for the next 50+ years.

    Working with the consulting firm, Arcadis Architects Inc. (Arcadis), staff conducted an extensive planning study, including stakeholder and public engagement. This study included a review of FFESD operating requirements, a determination of the fundamental criteria for selecting a suitable site to build an efficient fire hall within the intended timeline, and a set of requirements to analyze those sites that met the fundamental criteria.

    All City-owned land was considered through the process. Additionally, a formal request for expressions of interest (REOI) to identify potential site partners and co-uses was issued, and direct outreach was undertaken to develop awareness of the EOI. While this provided a number of potential co-users and co-uses that could complement a functional fire hall, the two potential sites that were put forward did not meet the fundamental criteria identified through the initial planning work. This process led to the identification of two suitable City-owned sites for further analysis: Site 1: 902 2nd Avenue and Site 2: 1500 5th Avenue.

    Test fits were conducted for both finalist sites and the results put through a site evaluation matrix that considered the evaluating criteria determined through the stakeholder engagement and regulatory requirements for a fire hall. Site 2 (1500 5th Ave) is the recommended site for the replacement Fire Hall for both its technical advantages and the flexibility of the site to accommodate co-uses and future growth. It emerged as the preferred site for both the FFESD and City internal business units, and was the recommended site by the Community Working Group.

    Benefits of the site include: it meets standard NFPA and FUS response requirements, has a larger site area and less setback constraints, a shorter distance to Hwy 3 than Site 1, and no known site contamination issues. The biggest advantage to the Prentice Park site is the flexibility that the larger site provides for site layout, future expansion beyond the anticipated 15% growth rate, and the independent development of a co-use that doesn’t affect the aggressive project timeline.

    Read the full Fire Hall Replacement Project Technical Report.

    Once Council has selected a site for the new Fire Hall, the City’s project team will work with Arcadis to advance the next phases of pre-planning including costing, detailed site testing and remediation where required, and the finalization of a funding strategy within a workable timeline to obtain approval of the electors for any required borrowing to meet the timeline for a new operational Fire Hall in 2026.

Page last updated: 20 Nov 2025, 04:08 PM