The City of Red Deer’s newly relocated Fire Station #4 in Timberlands is officially open and ready for business.
The new 1,095 sq. m building — which was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning — will continue to serve communities in northeast Red Deer, as well as any future developments in the East Hill area, said Red Deer City Manager Craig Curtis.
“This new facility represents our commitment to growth in the northeast and will serve as an essential community amenity in this neighbourhood for years to come,” Curtis said.
City council approved the approximately $7 million relocation of Station #4 in the 2015 Capital Budget in order to meet the High Intensity Residential Fire (HIRF) standards, which states that residential fires must be responded to in 10 minutes 90% of the time, in the new developments.
Council also approved a new location for Station #3, which is being built in Lancaster at 30th Ave. and Lees St. and is expected to open later this year.
“Without that you can’t develop. So this hall allows for the development of this area to go forward,” said Red Deer Fire Chief and Emergency Services Manager Brian Makey of the HIRF standards, which are mandated under provincial legislation.
He added the old station, which was located in Deer Park, was not ideal to respond to developing areas in northeast Red Deer.
Station #4, which is now located at 406 Townsend St., was designed by the City of Red Deer’s training and operations staff.
The hall features a number of different training areas built directly into the structure, including an exit stairwell which is also part of a training tower for high-angle rescue and hose advancement training and a manhole cover which leads down into a storage room to simulate a confined space rescue situation.
It was also built with the long-term growth of the City in mind and includes accommodation for 10 staff even though current demands require an average of just six staff at a time.
“It’s really a well-designed building,” Makey said.
“This is basically a 30 to 50 year hall.”
According to a press release from the City, the same design was used to suit both new stations with only minor variations in order to cut costs.
The large apparatus bay was designed to accommodate six emergency vehicles, including two ambulances. It is also tall enough to hold larger vehicles as need increases and to allow staff to perform maintenance indoors.
Makey said the project was completed on time and under budget.
“Red Deer Emergency Services personnel play an integral role in our community, providing life-saving fire and ambulance services for our citizens. Station #4 provides an opportunity for the dedicated men and women of our Emergency Services team to further their skills in service to the public,” said Mayor Tara Veer.
The station has been operational since last Wednesday and an open house is anticipated later this year.
zcormier@reddeerexpress.com
