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Update - July 2019
 

Merville Auxiliary Fire Hall Location Proposed 
 

The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) voted at its annual general meeting on June 8, 2019, to continue discussions with the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) to work toward establishing a new Merville auxiliary fire hall at its location on Williams Beach Road and the Island Highway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CVRD provides the Greater Merville Fire Protection Service and contracts with the City of Courtenay for fire suppression services. The CVRD has committed to operate a new auxiliary fire hall for the area in collaboration with Oyster River Fire Rescue. 

The fire hall location will benefit the community by providing local fire protection and medical first responder services, and also provide for a long-term partnership with MARS and the Wildlife Rescue Centre. The CVRD recognizes the important role MARS plays in rescuing and rehabilitating ill and injured wildlife and is working to ensure the animal patients wellbeing is not compromised. Sound from the fire hall will be minimized through operational practices and with construction of sound-reducing measures.

Next Steps:
 

  • Voter approval is planned for fall 2019 to enable borrowing for the project, with public engagement opportunities organized prior.
  • A report will be presented to an upcoming CVRD Electoral Area Services Committee with full details on the project costs, timing, public engagement and elector approval requirements.
  • Volunteer recruitment is ongoing - having a full compliment of volunteer fire fighters is essential in order for the hall to operate.
  • For information on how to apply to become a volunteer fire fighter, contact the Oyster River Fire Department.

Be sure to check back for project updates.

Background

The need to establish a fire hall in the Merville region was identified in a study conducted for the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in 2016.

As a new fire hall would benefit both the Merville Fire Protection Service and the Tsolum-Farnham Fire Protection Service, the CVRD has committed to merging these two services. This will make the project more cost efficient and will ensure that property owners pay an equitable amount toward the auxiliary hall project. 

2018 Public Information Session

Thank you to all who attended the public information session in August 2018 to hear about the status of the auxiliary fire hall project.  We appreciate all of the interest. View the presentation panels. 

Reports and Newsletters

See more background information below, including staff reports and the newsletters sent to area residents.