Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area - Fire Truck Storage Facility

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The original two bay fire hall was constructed with cinder blocks in 1985. A third bay addition was built onto the side of the original structure in 1996.

Project Overview

Following the 2022 Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area Feasibility Study, publication of the 2022 What We Heard Engagement Summary Report, and subsequent scoping and estimation work, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board approved a formal survey to confirm community support for constructing a purpose-built fire truck storage facility in the Nanaimo River (South Forks Rd.) area.

Survey Process

  • September 2025 – Invitation letters and surveys mailed to registered property owners in the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area.
  • October 8, 2025 – Survey closed which also included an in-person drop-off option.
  • November 2025 – RDN Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) reviewed survey results and recommended next steps; the RDN Board has now approved staff recommendations under Item 12.1.8 at their November 18 meeting.

Why This Matters

The survey was designed to confirm whether the community supports building a dedicated fire truck storage facility that would:

  • House the fire truck.
  • Be designed for future expansion into a full secondary fire hall if the area’s development and tax base grow.

This engagement process was approved by the RDN Board in June 2025 and followed a community information session hosted by Electoral Area C Director Melanson, which revisited recommendations from the 2022 feasibility study and explored outputs from subsequent scoping and estimation work.

What We Heard

Property owners at the information session and through the survey provided valuable feedback on the proposed facility and service considerations. The majority of respondents did not support proceeding with the construction of a dedicated fire truck storage facility in the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area.

A summary of public engagement process and feedback gathered is available in the 2025 What We Heard Engagement Summary Report.

Next Steps

Based on the survey results, staff report and What We Heard Engagement Summary Report presented to the RDN Board on November 18, 2025, staff have been directed to:

  • Suspend further collection of the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Service Reserve Fund indefinitely.
  • Prepare reports recommending means to dissolve the Reserve Fund.
  • Explore options to address fire service considerations in the area.

For details on what happens following the survey results, see the FAQ titled: Based on survey responses, what will the RDN do?

Stay Informed

Project Overview

Following the 2022 Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area Feasibility Study, publication of the 2022 What We Heard Engagement Summary Report, and subsequent scoping and estimation work, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board approved a formal survey to confirm community support for constructing a purpose-built fire truck storage facility in the Nanaimo River (South Forks Rd.) area.

Survey Process

  • September 2025 – Invitation letters and surveys mailed to registered property owners in the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area.
  • October 8, 2025 – Survey closed which also included an in-person drop-off option.
  • November 2025 – RDN Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) reviewed survey results and recommended next steps; the RDN Board has now approved staff recommendations under Item 12.1.8 at their November 18 meeting.

Why This Matters

The survey was designed to confirm whether the community supports building a dedicated fire truck storage facility that would:

  • House the fire truck.
  • Be designed for future expansion into a full secondary fire hall if the area’s development and tax base grow.

This engagement process was approved by the RDN Board in June 2025 and followed a community information session hosted by Electoral Area C Director Melanson, which revisited recommendations from the 2022 feasibility study and explored outputs from subsequent scoping and estimation work.

What We Heard

Property owners at the information session and through the survey provided valuable feedback on the proposed facility and service considerations. The majority of respondents did not support proceeding with the construction of a dedicated fire truck storage facility in the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area.

A summary of public engagement process and feedback gathered is available in the 2025 What We Heard Engagement Summary Report.

Next Steps

Based on the survey results, staff report and What We Heard Engagement Summary Report presented to the RDN Board on November 18, 2025, staff have been directed to:

  • Suspend further collection of the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Service Reserve Fund indefinitely.
  • Prepare reports recommending means to dissolve the Reserve Fund.
  • Explore options to address fire service considerations in the area.

For details on what happens following the survey results, see the FAQ titled: Based on survey responses, what will the RDN do?

Stay Informed

  • November 2025 Update

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    On November 6, 2025, the Staff Report on the proposed fire truck storage facility survey was presented to the RDN Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) and approved by the RDN board on November 18, 2025.

    Staff Recommendations:

    Survey Process Highlights:

    • The survey, mailed to registered property owners, sought feedback on constructing a purpose-built fire truck storage facility on RDN-owned land at Nanaimo River Road and South Forks Road.
    • Objectives included maintaining current service levels, improving safety and compliance, reducing liability, and providing a base for Extension Truck No. 4.
    • Responses informed preferences on borrowing terms and taxation impacts, guiding next steps in capital planning.
    • The What We Heard Engagement Summary Report was presented for information, ensuring transparency and alignment with community feedback.

    Survey Outcomes:

    • A majority of respondents did not support borrowing or taxation increases for the proposed facility.
    • These results led to the recommendation to halt reserve fund collection and reassess future fire service needs.

    Learn more:

  • Survey deadline extended to this Wednesday Oct. 8! Submit by 4 p.m. | In-person drop-off also available at Jonanco Parking Lot on Wed. Oct. 8 from 2–4 p.m.

    Share Survey deadline extended to this Wednesday Oct. 8! Submit by 4 p.m. | In-person drop-off also available at Jonanco Parking Lot on Wed. Oct. 8 from 2–4 p.m. on Facebook Share Survey deadline extended to this Wednesday Oct. 8! Submit by 4 p.m. | In-person drop-off also available at Jonanco Parking Lot on Wed. Oct. 8 from 2–4 p.m. on Twitter Share Survey deadline extended to this Wednesday Oct. 8! Submit by 4 p.m. | In-person drop-off also available at Jonanco Parking Lot on Wed. Oct. 8 from 2–4 p.m. on Linkedin Email Survey deadline extended to this Wednesday Oct. 8! Submit by 4 p.m. | In-person drop-off also available at Jonanco Parking Lot on Wed. Oct. 8 from 2–4 p.m. link

    To support community participation, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has extended the survey submission deadline to:

    Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

    Survey Drop-off Opportunity

    You can drop off your completed survey in person (to the RDN Fire Services representative) at:

    • Location: Jonanco Hobby Workshop parking lot
    • Address: 2745 White Rapids Rd., Nanaimo, BC V9X 1E4
    • Date & Time: Wednesday, October 8, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

    Other Ways to Submit Your Survey

    • Email: Scan or photograph your completed survey and send it to fireservices@rdn.bc.ca.
    • Fax: Send to 250-390-4163, attention: RDN Fire Services.
    • In-Person Drop-off: Deliver to RDN Administration Office at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, attention: RDN Fire Services.

    If you have questions or concerns about your submission, please email fireservices@rdn.bc.ca and include:

    • Your first and last name
    • Property ownership address
    • Correspondence address (if different)

    Thank you for your participation!

  • Important Update: Postal Strike – Please Use Alternative Survey Submission Methods

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    Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area - Fire Truck Storage Facility Construction Survey 2025

    Due to the current postal strike, mail delivery is no longer a reliable option for returning your completed survey. While a postage-paid envelope is included, we strongly encourage you to use one of the following alternative methods to ensure your survey is received on time:

    • Email: Scan or photograph your completed survey and send it to fireservices@rdn.bc.ca.
    • Fax: Send your completed survey to 250-390-4163, attention: RDN, Fire Services.
    • Drop-off: Hand-deliver your survey to 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, attention: RDN, Fire Services.

    If you have questions or concerns regarding your survey submission, please email fireservices@rdn.bc.ca with your first name, last name, property ownership address and correspondence address (if different).

    Survey submission deadline: October 6, 2025

    Thank you for your understanding and continued participation.

    Learn more: www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/nanaimo-river-fire-protection

  • Check Your Mailboxes - Fire Truck Storage Facility Survey has been mailed

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    Look for your invitation letter with an enclosed survey in your mailbox.

    Returning your completed survey

    An addressed, postage-paid envelope will be provided for you to return your completed survey to: Fire Services, Regional District of Nanaimo, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2. Alternatively, you can email a scanned/photographed version of your completed survey to fireservices@rdn.bc.ca, fax your completed survey to 250-390-4163 for the attention of RDN, Fire Services, or drop off your survey at 6300 Hammond Bay Rd. for the attention of RDN, Fire Services.

    Surveys must be received no later than October 6, 2025.

    This survey is intended for registered property owners within the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area.

Page last updated: 19 Nov 2025, 03:40 PM