In a move considered to be the first of its kind in B.C., Richmond will house a joint fire hall and ambulance station.
As part of an agreement between the City of Richmond and BC Emergency Health Services, the new Fire Hall No. 3 at No. 4 and Cambie roads will include additional space to house BC Ambulance Service’s Station 250.
The new dual-purpose facility is expected to open in early 2017.
While similar arrangements exist in some rural communities, this is the first time in B.C. that fire and ambulance services have been housed in the same facility in a major urban centre.
The $20.74 million facility will be built to LEED Gold and post-disaster construction standards on a 0.6-hectare (1.5 acre) site.
The 26,000 square foot building will also become the principal training centre for Richmond Fire-Rescue and home to its emergency vehicle technicians.
The City of Richmond has signed a 20-year lease with BC Emergency Health Services.
As well as obvious financial savings, the dual facility provides the potential for joint training activities.
“Community safety is the top priority of Richmond Council,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a press release.
“This innovative approach will create opportunities for two of our most critical emergency response agencies to work more closely together, which will improve community safety.”
The location of the new facility will allow for both Richmond firefighters and paramedics to serve the community of Richmond with “effective response to emergencies,” said BC Ambulance Service’s executive director of Metro Operations, Peter Thorpe. “Having a purpose-built facility ensures the building accommodates the unique needs of emergency services so our crews can deliver excellent care to those in need.”
