Heavy equipment worked away in the background as politicians, fire department staff, and others gathered Oct. 25 to mark the start of construction on the new $32 million Brookswood fire hall that is expected to reduce response times.

The hall in the 2600 block of 200 Street is being built at the same time a stretch of 27 Avenue is being done adjacent to the site.

A key feature of the new hall will be a reduced response time for its coverage area in South 91Ô­´´.

"By putting a career engine in the new fire hall five here, we're not only going to save on our response time in hall five's response area, which is Brookswood/Fernridge service area, it also affects the Township of 91Ô­´´ overall in a positive way. It's predicted to save three-and-a-half minutes on response time [in the hall's service area]," Township fire chief Jason de Roy noted.

IAFF Local 4550 president Cpt. Jason Sparrow, who is a local firefighter as well, said the members were able to provide input into the design so it works better for the people who must work there. That includes having a dedicated decontamination area, which is welcome because firefighters face higher rates of cancer.

"Having our firefighters, the end users of this facility, involved in the planning of this facility has given us a structure that truly meets the needs of those who serve and respond from it," he said.

The hall has four drive-through bays and is scalable to allow for expansion as needed in the future. It will also be a post-disaster facility, built with energy efficiency in mind, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The composite hall has apparatus bays, a decontamination facilities, living quarters, training rooms, and offices. It will be staffed by four full-time firefighters with paid on-call firefighters brought in as needed.  

"Once completed, a new fire hall for Brookswood-Fernridge should significantly reduce response times, providing better service and safety for our resident," said Mayor Eric Woodward. "We need to prepare for growth ahead of time, and ensure our infrastructure and public safety is ready."

The current Brookswood fire hall at 20355 32 Ave. will be repurposed, de Roy said, but not decisions have been made on its new function.

The next Townshp fire hall needing attention is Walnut Grove. 

"It's also getting up there as well, so it's close to 30 years old," the chief said. "It definitely needs to be replaced, and… again we can use [predictive modelling] software to help us with that evidence-based decision making."