The Deep Bay Volunteer Fire Department has a new home.
The new $2-million fire hall, initiated seven years ago, is finally complete. The department has been slowly transitioning into their new digs since December.
Fire chief George Lenz said they have been eagerly waiting for the new digs.
“It wasn’t a fast process,” said Lenz. “The final product that we have has been a collective effort that involved Deep Bay Improvement District, the community and fire department.”
The two-storey fire hall is twice the size of the old building. It has approximately 6,000 square feet on the main floor. It is able accommodate all equipment and any future upgrades. It also makes it easier for crews to access emergency response vehicles and gear, particularly during a major seismic event.
The four-bay truck hall provides the department the ability to fit its current fleet and also some room for expansion when required. There’s an administrative area on the second floor that includes gear storage and change room space, bathrooms, showers, shop space and office space.
READ MORE: RDN: Price tag of proposed new Dashwood fire hall hits $6.4 million
“It’s pretty good now,” said Lenz. “There’s some things that we have to change around and move around but generally speaking it’s certainly a vast improvement from what we have.”
It is built to BC Building Code post-disaster standards, designed to survive an earthquake and provide life-saving services during disaster response and recovery efforts in the Deep Bay Improvement District.
Lenz said they hope to complete the move by spring at which time the department plans to hold an official opening ceremony.
The department has 22 members and Lenz said they are recruiting volunteers.
“I always need volunteers,” said Lenz. “The more volunteers you get, the better off you are.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter can call the fire hall at 250-757-2030 or email deepbayfire@dbid.ca.
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