Revelstoke fire base’s new office won’t see ground broken until fall, but building designs are complete and site development for the future facilities is ongoing, BC Wildfire Service told Revelstoke Mountaineer. A new septic field, stormwater management, parking and the inclusion of a water line approved by the City of Revelstoke are all in the works as old infrastructure is removed from the site.
“The existing facilities were at the end of their lifecycle and were deemed insufficient for projected staffing levels and fire zone needs,” BC Wildfire Service said when asked what Revelstoke and the general Columbia fire zone could expect from the new facilities.
The two-storey building will house office spaces for operations in the region, fire crew living areas, a kitchen area and conference room. In imagining what future fire bases need to look like, the Revelstoke fire base will also include an occupational health and safety fitness room, keeping crews on-site for training and therapy related to a physically demanding and repetitive job. An open-plan office space will allow for meeting areas to be reconfigured for larger groups and training sessions, accompanying the fluctuation of staff needed depending on the season. The new building is projected to have a capacity of 80 staff.
“The new fire base building will provide the needed space for the zone to operate effectively as well as provide an optimal place from which to dispatch crews,” BC Wildfire Service said. “This new base will strengthen the BC Wildfire Service’s ability to deliver effective wildfire management and emergency response support within the region.”
The new Revelstoke fire base will remain at the current base’s location alongside the Revelstoke airport facility, on land leased from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Adjacent to the new Revelstoke fire base is the current air tanker base, which will remain in operation.
What did you think of this story?
Your feedback after we publish a story helps ensure we're always improving our reporting to better serve you
