Highrise plan could require new downtown fire hall

Kelowna Courier:

It‘s a ways off, but the approval of the downtown highrises may also require a new firehall in the area. Fire Chief Rene Blanleil said the Water Street station won‘t be up to the task of serving the high density and increase in population planned under council‘s proposed comprehensive development plan. “There are city plans to address that in the not-too-distant future,” said Blanleil. “Turning the old Water Street building into a heritage site and possibly building a new one (firehall) is being kicked around. But it‘s all in due time.” Blanleil said the city and fire department will plan together for whatever new resources will be needed in the downtown. “We‘re well up to speed with the OCP and the fire department has raised staffing concerns and a change in the way we will be doing business with more highrises downtown,” said Blanleil. “That has been identified and I think it‘s the obligation of the fire chief and management team to be able to bring those justifications for spending increases before council and let council and the taxpayers decide the level of service.”

He said the proposed 13 highrises will put more demand on emergency services. “Call volumes are already going up on a steady increase just due to population in Kelowna,” he said. “From an equipment perspective, we‘re pretty good. It would be more requirements of staffing. When you look at the revitalization plan downtown, it‘s going to impact call volumes on fire, police and ambulance services.”