Temporary storage will go up near Oak Bay fire hall as the newest truck is too big for the current historic building.
Oak Bay fire previously planning its purchases to fit the historic 1938 building, but this time purchased the best truck to serve the community – it just doesn’t fit into the Tudor-style fire hall.
Council issued a required variance to place the temporary building adjacent to the fire hall on an access road that leads to Firefighter Park.
The road also leads to the parking lot used by park users, firefighters, police staff and those using the adjacent Guide and Scout buildings.
The 2023 Smeal 105-foot rear mount aerial ladder truck, expected in December, was judged as the best fit for the community and the regional landscape – including maintenance capabilities. The current 1990 truck is a 68-foot ladder.
RELATED: A hall too small – Oak Bay fire plans portable storage for ladder truck
“Oak Bay Fire Department’s legacy practice of designing and replacing fire apparatus to fit the current undersized apparatus bays has resulted in a reduced level of effectiveness and safety of these expensive and long-term public safety assets. Additionally, should these practises continue, there may be negative impacts to insurance rates within the community, With a new public safety building likely to be started within the 20-year lifespan of upcoming replacement apparatus, it would be prudent to have the apparatus purpose-built to address community needs and not to conform to the legacy design limitations of an 82-year-old building.”
The ladder truck is one of two fire apparatus scheduled to be replaced this year.
Council approved a budget to replace the department’s engine and its 2002 quint, as well as lease a portable garage, in February 2020.
“This plan is not a permanent solution for the legacy fire station. It does however create a stand-alone portable apparatus bay that permits the purchase of an Engine and a Quint that are driven by community needs rather than fire station restrictions. This plan is intended to serve the community immediately, while literally ‘Buying Time’ for the development a fire station replacement strategy,” the staff briefing notes.
As a resident of the application area, Coun. Esther Paterson recused herself from the relevant portion of the meeting.
