In Quarters: Osoyoos, Canada, Fire Hall + Training Centre

Aug. 28, 2018
Following a needs assessment, the Osoyoos Fire Hall + Training Centre in British Columbia will meet the community's needs into the future.

This facility received a Volunteer/Combination Notable Award in Firehouse's 2017 Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.

The Town of Osoyoos identified a need for an expanded and improved fire hall facility to provide residents with faster response, modern functional space for firefighters, and a local training center. To ensure the project was properly developed, architects worked closely with the town and fire hall stakeholders, conducting a needs assessment through to construction completion. 

The Town of Osoyoos completed an extensive public consultation process, enabling the fire hall to receive public funding through a successful referendum. 

Significant local volunteer hours were contributed in the design process to ensure that the features and size of the fire hall reflected the current and future needs of local firefighters. Facility design features include: 

  • Efficiency sized training, ancillary work areas, turnout gear storage and laundry, commercial kitchen and administrative spaces 
  • 49-foot double drive-through bay with exhaust venting
  • Modern standards of durability, life safety and mechanical/electrical/communications systems 
  • A minimum 50-year life span
  • Efficient land use that includes a training area, allows fire trucks to park without taking up the road allowance, and provides a turning radius that will allow for future larger sized apparatus 
  • A four-story hose and training tower
  • A high level of environmental stewardship 
  • The mezzanine space is an open area accessible from the apparatus bays by stairwell or access gates for use with forklift, and from the training tower. Mechanical, electrical and communications rooms are located on the mezzanine. Designed to be used in conjunction with the training tower for different scenarios, it will also provide for storage of equipment and parts and fitness area. 
  • A multi-purpose room serves as a social area and Osoyoos Emergency Operations Centre. The room is designed to operate as a multi-agency 
  • center to support to police, ambulance, fire, town operations and other officials in case of disaster.

Architect: KMBR Architects Planners Inc.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!