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 - Pre-Planning Phase Begins

The City hired a contractor, Arcadis Architects (Canada) Inc., to begin the pre-planning phase for a new Fernie Fire Hall.

September 2023 to January 2024 - Site Selection and Community Engagement

The City began community engagement as part of the site selection process, which included establishing a Community Working Group, hosting an Open House, and opening a survey.

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 Completed 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 - Final Design Stage

On November 12, 2025, Council directed staff to advance the project to the 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 - Pre-Planning Phase Begins

The City hired a contractor, Arcadis Architects (Canada) Inc., to begin the pre-planning phase for a new Fernie Fire Hall.

September 2023 to January 2024 - Site Selection and Community Engagement

The City began community engagement as part of the site selection process, which included establishing a Community Working Group, hosting an Open House, and opening a survey.

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 Completed 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 - Final Design Stage

On November 12, 2025, Council directed staff to advance the project to the 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 Project OCP Amendments - Comment Form

    The City of Fernie is proposing amendments to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to change a the designation of a portion of Prentice Park (1500–5th Ave) from “Park” to “Institutional,” and to add 'Fernie Fire Hall' as a key use under 'Institutional' to allow construction of the new Fernie Fire Hall on this site. This change is needed because the OCP currently designates the land as park space, and OCP and zoning amendment must be completed before the project can move ahead.

    Before Council considers an amendment bylaw, residents are invited to provide early input. This comment form is available from November 14–24, 2025, through Let’s Talk Fernie, or in paper form at City Hall. All feedback will be summarized and presented to Council on December 9, 2025, and will help inform next steps. If this OCP amendment bylaw advances, a formal public hearing will be required after first and second reading.

    Complete Form
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Page last updated: 19 Nov 2025, 08:32 AM