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City Releases Design of New Fire Station / Training Facility

FREDERICTON (January 3, 2007) - The design of a new Fire Station and firefighter training facility to be constructed on Two Nations Crossing in Fredericton North was released here today during a meeting of the city's Public Safety and Environment Committee.

"This is a very impressive complex which will serve as a training ground for fire fighters from all over the Maritimes as well as provide the citizens of Fredericton with excellent fire protection services," said Councillor Tony Whalen, Chair of the Public Safety and Environment Committee. "

Construction will begin this year on the first phase of the project - the Centre of Excellence in Public Safety Training - a state-of-the-art training facility where a new generation of firefighters will learn the life-saving skills required in their demanding profession.

The design of the new station and details of the training facility were announced during a presentation to the Public Safety and Environment Committee by City of Fredericton Fire Chief Phillip Toole.

The training facility features a three-story training tower resembling a residential building. This structure will be used to provide real-world training for fire fighters and leaders in controlled environments. Plans for the facility were supplied by Fire Facilities Inc., a U.S.-based expert in the design and construction of fire training structures. The company has built similar training facilities all over the world.

The tower will have four working deck levels, ideal for rappelling and laddering. There will also be two burn rooms, one on the first floor and the other on the second floor. The flames will be fuelled by natural gas and synthetic smoke will be used to protect the environment.

The Centre of Excellence will be complete and ready to use by summer. Training agreements with P.E.I.'s Holland College and other fire departments will offset some of the operating costs.

Site-preparation for the main fire station building will continue in 2007 on the 4.5-acre site, with construction of the main building in 2008.

One of Atlantic Canada's foremost architectural firms, Sperry & Partners, of Halifax, developed the 21,290 square-foot new station's stepped layout and terrace design.

Apparatus bays will take up 11,090 square-feet of space. Locker rooms, day rooms and a dorm will take up 5,160 square feet with offices, training rooms and a public entrance adding another 5,040 square feet to the project.

Once completed, the new station will serve the Marysville, Barker's Point and Devon areas of the City as well as adjacent Local Service Districts.

The City will also buy land in Silverwood this year for another new fire station to be constructed in 2008 in Fredericton South.

The City is currently served by five fire stations - on York Street, MacLaren Avenue, Kimble Road, Royal Road and Harrison Court.

Artist renditions of the new station and the training facility are available on the City of Fredericton website. www.fredericton.ca - keyword: Fire Station

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MEDIA CONTACT: Councillor Tony Whalen, Chair of the Public Safety and Environment Committee (506) 460-2227.