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Background

The CVRD provides the Greater Merville Fire Protection Service and has committed to construct, equip and operate a new auxiliary fire hall to be located at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society property at Williams Beach Road and the Island Highway. Once completed, this new fire hall will be managed in collaboration with Oyster River Fire Rescue.

The consultant’s report recommended the development of an auxiliary fire hall, centrally located within the Greater Merville area may provide the following benefits:

  • Improved life-safety of the residents within the service area
  • A responding fire hall within eight kilometers of the residents which may lead to reduced fire insurance premiums
  • Delivery of medical first responder program within the service area

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some challenges, the CVRD continues to move this project forward.

Project Updates

The Invitation to Tender seeking bids for the construction of the Merville fire hall closed on June 24, 2021. As a result of this competitive process and on the recommendation of the project engineer, a Notice of Award was issued to Kinetic Construction Ltd. for a value of $1,317,123 excluding GST. Kinetic Construction Ltd. has started fire hall construction with completion anticipated early in 2022.  

Following a competitive process, the CVRD awarded the construction of the new Merville fire engine to Fort Garry Fire Trucks in May 2021. Anticipated delivery of the fire engine is approximately January 2022.

Following a competitive process, the CVRD took delivery of a fire service tanker truck in June 2021. This truck is currently stationed at the Oyster River fire hall.

Merville Fire Service Tanker Truck
Photo: Merville Fire Service Tanker Truck

Staff is currently developing a bylaw that will regulate the lighting of fires and other high risk activities in order to provide a greater measure of safety for the residents.

Next Steps

Construction of the fire hall is currently underway with Kinetic Construction Ltd anticipating completion by February 2022. Staff and the project engineer will continue to monitor the construction. 

The Oyster River Fire Chief and the Merville volunteer firefighters are currently working with CVRD staff to purchase the duty response truck, the tools, operational equipment and safety gear required to provide the service.

Anticipated Project Schedule

Project AspectAnticipated Completion
Fire hall constructionFebruary 2022
Fire engine constructionJanuary 2022
Fire service tanker truckCompleted
Fire service tools and
equipment purchase		January 2022
Fire hall "In-Service"March 2022

Fire Hall Design and Construction

The architect and engineering team has completed the fire hall design which includes:

  • Single storey wood framed building that meets post-disaster construction requirements
  • Two truck bays (fire engine and tanker truck)
  • Radio room space
  • Training room space

Volunteer Recruitment

The Merville Fire Protection service currently has 17 dedicated volunteers that are trained and ready to serve their community but more volunteers are needed. Volunteer recruitment is ongoing and having a full complement of volunteer fire fighters is essential for the hall to operate. Please consider becoming a volunteer firefighter.

For more information on becoming a volunteer firefighter, please contact https://www.oysterriverfire.ca

For More Information

James Bast, Manager of fire services
Email | Tel: 250-334-6044

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. 

At community meetings and Director’s events, attending residents and property owners expressed support for the construction of a Greater Merville auxiliary fire hall.

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.