Dashwood Fire Hall Replacement Project Enters Next Phase
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is pleased to announce the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD) Fire Hall Replacement project is entering its next phase. Demolition of the fire hall, located on Hobbs Road in Qualicum Beach, has begun. Following demolition, the site will be prepared for the construction of the new fire hall, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2024.
The new fire hall design is based on a collaboration between the RDN and DVFD to standardize the design of main and smaller satellite fire halls in the region. Dashwood will be the first to implement the new design which will meet current building and seismic standards while providing an improved layout for training and maintaining equipment. The new fire hall will feature:
- Two drive through bays for up to four pieces of apparatus
- A public entrance with an administration area
- Separate areas for radio communications, IT, mechanical, electrical, sprinklers, gear, storage, training, offices and laundry which did not exist in the current fire hall
- Two washrooms and gear/equipment decontamination areas
- A workshop for gear and equipment maintenance
- A room for self-contained breathing apparatus cleaning, maintenance and compressor refill
The health and wellness of the DVFD staff and volunteers was a primary consideration in the new design. It will meet WorkSafeBC requirements for gear storage, cleaning, and the decontamination of members and fire fighting equipment as part of efforts to reduce the risk of job-related cancers. The design also considers future growth by: allowing for an additional bay, creating a second floor that will support expanded growth, and constructing an engineered pad for a future hose drying tower and training needs.
For information on the Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department, visit dashwoodvfd.com, and for fire services in the RDN, visit rdn.bc.ca/fire-services.
