The Municipality of McDougall is exploring the possibility of building a single, centralized fire hall along the Highway 124 corridor.
An updated Fire Master Plan prepared by Promax that was presented to council in May recommended transitioning to a centralized, single station fire service model. Fire Chief Patrick Shoebottom supported these recommendations, believing that a centrally located station would provide an effective and sustainable model for delivering fire protection services to the community.
At a meeting on June 17, Shoebottom presented a report to council requesting staff explore opportunities for the purchase of land for a new fire station. According to the report, the municipality currently does not own property within the desired service area. The preferred location for a new fire hall is along the Highway 124 corridor between Highway 400 and Nine Mile Lake Road, with the optimal site being in the vicinity of McDougall Public School.
He also requested that council direct staff to investigate the cost of building a new fire hall, and any potential funding options to support the build.
According to the report, if a new hall was built, the Nobel Fire Station would be repurposed to accommodate Public Works and Parks Department equipment, much of which is currently stored outdoors. While the Waubamic Fire Station would no longer be required, could be declared surplus and sold.
“A centralized station would also reduce future apparatus requirements,” stated Shoebottom in his report. “The municipality could eliminate the need to replace one tanker, one rescue vehicle and on ATV. Both the tanker and rescue vehicle are approaching the end of their service life. Avoiding these replacements is expected to result in capital savings of approximately $1.5 million over the long term.”
Council supported the recommendations, and directed staff to proceed with all requests.
“The Promax consult was a good start and I think this is the logical next step,” said Mayor Dale Robinson.
