Vanderhoof’s 2024 budget prioritised essential repairs to the Vanderhoof Fire Hall and the introduction of a live fire training option.
Council approved $41,900 for fire hall repairs, targeting four key areas: truck bay personnel doors, overhead door windows, meeting/training room, and front doors and windows, each allocated nearly $10,000.
Fire Chief Craig Smith advocated for phased project completion due to the hall’s deteriorating state, originally constructed in 1983.
Margaret Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the necessity of documenting any buildings potentially containing asbestos within the district’s financial records and estimating the associated remediation costs. A comprehensive assessment of three structures - the arena, municipal office, and fire hall - revealed that the fire hall contained the highest concentration of asbestos.
Regarding live fire training, the budget sets aside $124,069, predominantly funded by a $123,000 grant from the Fire Chiefs Association of BC, with the district’s share at $1,069.
The budget for the live fire training project takes into consideration the cost of equipment such as Drager System 64 Live Fire Trainer, fuel source such as a propane tank, and site preparation activities.
This initiative aims to establish a safer, propane-fuelled training option locally, as existing distant facilities don’t meet optimal safety standards.
Smith emphasised the potential for revenue generation by offering training services to neighbouring communities lacking such facilities.
Council also greenlit the replacement of a 1500 gallon tank Water Tender 11 - intended to add water supply capacity for responses outside of the fire hydrant protected areas – with a 1600 gallon tank with a pump and roll ability. The total cost is estimated at $523, 572 to be used from the Fire Equipment Reserve.