Burnaby Mountain residents will get more information about two new fire halls and new wildfire firefighting equipment designed to enhance emergency preparedness and fire safety in the area.
SFU and UniverCity once had the worst fire department response times in the city, according to a 2015 fire department study.
Despite major development, the mountain didn't have a fire station of its own, and the closest hall, Fire Station 4 on Duthie Avenue, was nearly 60 years old and in desperate need of an upgrade.
Since last January, however, a temporary fire hall has worked out of office space on University High Street.
And by the end of this year, the city expects to open two new fire halls that will serve the mountain: a new Fire Station 4 on Greystone Drive, across from Squint Lake Park, and Fire Station 8, on Burnaby Mountain, on University Drive between Nelson Way and Tower Road.
"We have invested significant time and resources – including opening two new fire halls – to enhance our response capacity in the Burnaby Mountain area," Mayor Mike Hurley said in a news release Monday.
The city is now hosting an information session for Burnaby Mountain residents where they can find out more about the two new facilities.
Fire Chief Chris Bowcock will be on hand to talk about the new fire stations and provide an update about new wildfire firefighting equipment and training.
The information session is set for Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Forest Grove Elementary School gym (8525 Forest Grove Dr.).
No registration is required to attend.
Fire Station 4 is slated to open this spring, according to the city. Fire Station 8 is scheduled to open later this year.
The city originally said the stations would open in fall 2023.
Both fire halls have been designed to meet "post-disaster standards," according to the city.
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