Fire Rescue's New Location

The existing facility has housed both Fire Rescue and Public Works since 1988, but it no longer meets the requirements for either.

Some of the major challenges with the facility include:

• Ceiling height does not allow for safe, year-round inspections to maintain today’s fire fleet indoors
• Building and safety code limitations prevent it from meeting today’s standards for Fire Halls
• Inadequate space for Fire Rescue personnel, equipment, and current operational needs
• Insufficient room for Public Works administrative and operational functions
• Operational delays and risks during emergencies due to outdated infrastructure (e.g. physical access, backup power, and vulnerability to disaster)

To ensure a fiscally responsible decision, NRRM explored multiple options, including new construction and upgrades to the existing site. The following were considered:

In addition to the cost, Option 2 would still constrain the available space for both departments to operate effectively. The geographic location is not ideal for safe & timely fire response, and bringing it up to Fire Hall building and safety codes would further reduce space available for Public Works, in turn requiring the purchase or construction of a secondary building for Public Works operations.

Option 3 was selected as the most cost-effective and operationally sound solution. It provides the Community with a modern Fire Hall with room to meet current and future needs and frees up the existing facility for Public Works use, avoiding long-term borrowing while maintaining service levels.

Based on a survey of available facilities in the community, the Cameron Building’s concrete construction, cost-efficiency, size, and minimal required upgrades made it the most practical choice. The building is in good condition, needing only minor upgrades to meet building and safety codes as a Fire Hall. Its non-combustible construction meets post-disaster standards, provides adequate space for outdoor training, is securely fenced and supports long-term emergency service needs. The location allows for easy access both North and South on the Alaska Highway, making for quick emergency response. 

Required Work at Cameron Building (5013 Cordova Way – Future Fire Hall)

The Cameron Building, built of durable concrete and roughly 10 years old, is being adapted to meet modern Fire Hall requirements. Required work includes:

• Installation of 3 new garage doors
• Floor drainage improvements in truck bays for year-round maintenance of fleet
• Backup generator installation
• New communications antenna installation for fire radio connectivity
• Leveraging the building’s post-disaster construction for NRRM business continuity (communications, archives and EOC space)
• Space allowance for a future hose drying tower

Regional Council has been informed and involved in the decisions related to the old Fire Hall/Public Works facility since 2022, and in January 2025, information was presented which considered alternatives to address what would be outstanding deficiencies of that building even once fully renovated.

Some of those deficiencies were highlighted during the Parker Lake wildfire, including disaster vulnerability. Operating out of the Cameron Building during that time allowed Fire Rescue to successfully conduct major, coordinated, multi-agency fire response operations at no cost to the NRRM.

As the purchase and modification of the Cameron Building will be fully funded using reserve and grant funds, no borrowing is required, and as such, public approval is not required under provincial legislation. Nonetheless, the NRRM is committed to answering the community’s questions, and is hosting an Open House to share the full background, and welcome the community to tour the facility.

The existing facility will be minimally adjusted to meet the operational needs of Public Works, including accessible washrooms, relocated administrative space, foundation replacement (already completed), and general safety improvements.

Given the facility’s age, it had a failing foundation and aprons, roof, and other building code and safety concerns, amounting to approximately $2M in total to address. Starting in 2022, work has been ongoing at the former Fire Hall/Public Works facility when the NRRM received a $1.798 M grant through the Investing in Canada Fund, at which time the NRRM also contributed $250,000 from taxation for the project. To date, work has been completed using the existing budget. On July 14, 2025, an additional $500,000 was added to the budget (allocated to the project from reserves), to complete interior renovations to improve space use. The total cost to the NRRM to renovate the old Fire Hall/Public Works facility will be $750,000 if fully allocated at completion.

Planned improvements for the Public Works Building (5404 48 Avenue East)

• Interior reconfiguration to improve space use
• Relocating Public Works administration from the (long-term) temporary office space into the former Fire Department administration space
• Accessibility upgrades to washrooms
• Backup generator replacement
• Fire safety improvements in storage areas
• Heating, lighting, and power upgrades
• New fire alarm and sprinkler system
• Safety improvements to second storeys

No. There is no tax increase associated with this purchase, and no borrowing is required. The project is fully self-funded using responsible reserve management and a targeted infrastructure grant.

The new Fire Hall will bring substantial benefits to the region:

• Improved emergency response capacity and faster deployment
• Post-disaster-rated construction for added resilience for threats of wildfire
• Safe, secure space for critical municipal infrastructure, including communications, archives and Emergency Operations
• Upgraded and repurposed space at the current facility for Public Works
• Avoids $15–18 million in potential capital costs under alternative options
• Fully funded through existing reserves and grants, with no impact on taxes