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Fire training centre unveiled in east Richmond

Richmond firefighters have a new training facility in east Richmond to practise combatting infernos under live-fire scenarios. The City of Richmond is leasing 1.6-acres of land from Lafarge Canada Inc. until 2024.
fire training
Richmond firefighters have a new facility in east Richmond to hone their skills. Photo submitted

Richmond firefighters have a new training facility in east Richmond to practise combatting infernos under live-fire scenarios.

The City of Richmond is leasing 1.6-acres of land from Lafarge Canada Inc. until 2024. Nearby to the Lafarge cement plant, the city has constructed a portable burn building that will light on fire under controlled circumstances, so firefighters can practice various firefighting techniques. Also on site is a fire truck driver training course.

Firefighters can practise forcible entry, extraction, confined space rescues and ground survival techniques. 

“The city is committed to ensuring a safe community for all Richmond residents,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie, via a news release. 

“This new site complements our fire department’s existing training program in providing our fire fighters with the skills and education essential to properly respond to the emergency needs of our community,” added Brodie.

The city explicitly thanked Lafarge for the lease deal.

Lafarge plant manager Pascal Bouchard said he was pleased to help Richmond improve community safety.

The new training facility will complement a nearly complete set of new firehalls in Richmond.

By spring of next year, Richmond will have completed renovation or replacement of its seven fire halls.

Brighouse Fire Hall No. 1, at Gilbert Road and Granville Avenue, is a new $22.3 million, 25,000 square-foot facility presently under construction.

Near Cambie and No. 4 roads is Fire Hall No. 3 — also under construction — which will double as an ambulance hall. All the halls will be earthquake resistant, per present-day standards.

This week, city council approved the purchase of a new additional quint (five function) fire truck at a cost of $1.4 million. Council has already approved $1.6 million in spending for new fire trucks in 2017.