The Ootischenia Fire Hall will be getting some major upgrades in the coming months.
A new vehicle bay will add an additional 720 square feet of space to house rescue apparatus and address safety issues regarding insufficient space for equipment storage. The project will also include a new main entrance and energy efficiency work.
The cost of the project is $212,429 and the design and construction contract was awarded to NDB Construction Ltd.
Ootischenia Fire Chief Len Coates says the renovation will be a helpful addition to the department. Currently, the first-responder rescue truck has to be stored outdoors and any equipment and supplies that cannot tolerate cold weather must be hauled back and forth to the truck. This includes things like AEDs and air-bagging masks. Exterior storage also means that the vehicle’s wild-land water pump must be winterized and taken out of service each winter.
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The fire hall was built in 1994 and this is the first major renovation it has undergone.
Coats says the expansion has been in the planning stages for about five years.
OFD currently has 22 members but Coates would like to see a few more added to the roster. If you are interested in volunteering, call 250-365-4928.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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