Go Back

Fire Station 2 Replacement Project

Background

In December 2013, Council authorized the purchase of the land at 55 Fox Road for a joint police/fire station project. The construction of the joint police/fire facility at this location was reassessed and the construction of the Port Hope Police Station at 55 Fox Road proceeded in late 2014. The fire station aspect of this project was removed by Council.

In 2022, the Fire Master Plan (FMP) for the Municipality of Port Hope was created by the Loomex Group, along with the comprehensive Community Risk Assessment. The FMP identified that the current Fire Station 2 (located at 4366 County Road 22), built in 1978, is at the end of its life cycle and Council needs to prioritize the replacement of this facility. The Plan recommends that Fire Station 2 be replaced with a facility that includes all required functionality for providing fire suppression and an administrative area. A location change was also recommended since the current station is located on a flood plain and cannot be expanded.

New Facility

The proposed new Fire Station 2 would be an addition to the north side of the current police station (located at 55 Fox Road) and would reflect the original design and construction from 2014, with some variances including, an additional fourth bay and administrative office space to house full-time fire service management and administration personnel. Space within the replacement station would also be allocated for the Municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which would be utilized to oversee and run municipal emergency management operations. The Municipality is required, by regulation, to establish and maintain an EOC, which currently is located in the basement of the Canton Hub building. The current EOC location is not equipped with a backup power supply or high-speed internet which are key components of an effective EOC in an emergency.

Impacts on the Rural Area

The current Fire Station 2 is located in the Rural Area (Ward 2) of the Municipality. The proposed replacement station would be located 2.3 km south of the current location. Since 85 percent of current fire staff live closer to the proposed new location, it would provide a more efficient and effective emergency response in emergency situations and lower the response time to emergency calls within Ward 2.

Port Hope currently holds an enhanced level of 'Fire Department Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation', meaning Port Hope Fire is capable of supplying a consistent water source in the event of a fire in the rural area of the Municipality. This status provides homeowners, within an eight km radius of both the Garden Hill and Welcome (current Station 2) fire stations, as well as commercial property owners within a five km radius of the stations reductions in their insurance premiums. The proposed new location of the replacement Fire Station 2 would still incorporate all residential dwellings within an 8 km radius, which includes the areas of both Welcome and Canton.

The proposed location would not require the use of cisterns (water storage) as the site has an adequate water supply to service a modern fire station.

While the proposed replacement project is not within the official boundary of the Rural Area, the close proximity to the ward, and advantages associated with the replacement project and proximity of firefighting staff further support the location of the proposed project.

Community Engagement

A community open house was held on January 18, 2023. Feedback was also collected via the below comment form. This comment form is now closed and submissions will be reviewed by staff and Council.

Design Phase Update

The detailed design phase of this project is now underway. From 2024 to 2025, staff will be working with Barry Bryan and associates (BBA) who was the original designer of the current Port Hope Police Station. This design phase will include research and design on elements such as: structural changes, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, landscaping and more. Once the design phase is complete, staff will present these renderings to Council for consideration.

Background

In December 2013, Council authorized the purchase of the land at 55 Fox Road for a joint police/fire station project. The construction of the joint police/fire facility at this location was reassessed and the construction of the Port Hope Police Station at 55 Fox Road proceeded in late 2014. The fire station aspect of this project was removed by Council.

In 2022, the Fire Master Plan (FMP) for the Municipality of Port Hope was created by the Loomex Group, along with the comprehensive Community Risk Assessment. The FMP identified that the current Fire Station 2 (located at 4366 County Road 22), built in 1978, is at the end of its life cycle and Council needs to prioritize the replacement of this facility. The Plan recommends that Fire Station 2 be replaced with a facility that includes all required functionality for providing fire suppression and an administrative area. A location change was also recommended since the current station is located on a flood plain and cannot be expanded.

New Facility

The proposed new Fire Station 2 would be an addition to the north side of the current police station (located at 55 Fox Road) and would reflect the original design and construction from 2014, with some variances including, an additional fourth bay and administrative office space to house full-time fire service management and administration personnel. Space within the replacement station would also be allocated for the Municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which would be utilized to oversee and run municipal emergency management operations. The Municipality is required, by regulation, to establish and maintain an EOC, which currently is located in the basement of the Canton Hub building. The current EOC location is not equipped with a backup power supply or high-speed internet which are key components of an effective EOC in an emergency.

Impacts on the Rural Area

The current Fire Station 2 is located in the Rural Area (Ward 2) of the Municipality. The proposed replacement station would be located 2.3 km south of the current location. Since 85 percent of current fire staff live closer to the proposed new location, it would provide a more efficient and effective emergency response in emergency situations and lower the response time to emergency calls within Ward 2.

Port Hope currently holds an enhanced level of 'Fire Department Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation', meaning Port Hope Fire is capable of supplying a consistent water source in the event of a fire in the rural area of the Municipality. This status provides homeowners, within an eight km radius of both the Garden Hill and Welcome (current Station 2) fire stations, as well as commercial property owners within a five km radius of the stations reductions in their insurance premiums. The proposed new location of the replacement Fire Station 2 would still incorporate all residential dwellings within an 8 km radius, which includes the areas of both Welcome and Canton.

The proposed location would not require the use of cisterns (water storage) as the site has an adequate water supply to service a modern fire station.

While the proposed replacement project is not within the official boundary of the Rural Area, the close proximity to the ward, and advantages associated with the replacement project and proximity of firefighting staff further support the location of the proposed project.

Community Engagement

A community open house was held on January 18, 2023. Feedback was also collected via the below comment form. This comment form is now closed and submissions will be reviewed by staff and Council.

Design Phase Update

The detailed design phase of this project is now underway. From 2024 to 2025, staff will be working with Barry Bryan and associates (BBA) who was the original designer of the current Port Hope Police Station. This design phase will include research and design on elements such as: structural changes, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, landscaping and more. Once the design phase is complete, staff will present these renderings to Council for consideration.

  • CLOSED: This comment form is now closed.

    Comment Form

    Please review the information on this page and in the 'Important Documents' panel, then provide your feedback on this form by February 8, 2023. Comments will then be reviewed and considered by Council and staff. 

Page last updated: 21 Feb 2024, 08:04 AM