History of the Bowen Island Fire Hall Project 1950-2000 In the early 1950 s, fire protection on Bowen Island relied on a portable pump pulled by a pickup truck. It was owned by the Union Steamship Company Resort. In the mid 1950 s the Bowen Island Ratepayers Association acquired a 1928 American LaFrance ladder truck from the Vancouver Fire Department. It was cut in half by welding torch and considerably shortened. Once ready for service it was proudly housed in Bowen Island s first Fire Hall: the unused wood shed for the school (now the site of Bowen Court).
In 1969, the Bowen Island Improvement District authorized the construction of a two bay fire hall on land donated by the Davies family. It housed the first new pumper, which was delivered later that year. In 1977, two additional bays with a second storey were added, which is how it is today. 1983 2015 In the ensuing years, as the island has grown, new equipment has arrived, additional responsibilities and functions have been added, and far more classroom training is needed - with an increasing emphasis on fire prevention and inspections as well as emergency planning and response.
2001 In 2001, a seismic study conducted of the facility by Jones, Christofferson determined that the structure would likely fail during a low to moderate earthquake. The masonry walls are listed as being deficient, indicating a high risk of collapse under the Code Design Earthquake, and may suffer substantial damage during a moderate earthquake. 2004 In 2004, three options were prepared by Downs/Archambault: 1. Seismic upgrade of the existing building, which is mostly cinder block construction. This option was limited to simply strengthening the existing facility to meet 2004 seismic standards for a Fire Hall. Since 2004 there are new BC Building Code Standards. 2. Seismic upgrade by partial replacement of building. This would replace the single storey 1969 building with a larger two storey structure designed to connect to the 1977 building. 3. New Fire Hall at current location: build a new Fire Hall similar in design as the present facility. The plan would see a four bay, two storey building on the west end of the present location. This option would require the purchase of property immediately to the west of the present location. While these 2004 options addressed seismic concerns they did not take into account the deficient space at the time, nor future needs. For example, in 1977 the fire apparatus in the four bay Hall consisted of: One main pumper One mini pumper One ambulance (which was housed in the Hall before the Ambulance Station on Miller Road) In 2015, the fire apparatus is larger and housed in the same space: Two main pumpers One mini pumper One rescue vehicle 2015
2007 In 2007, at Council s direction, an architectural firm that specializes in Fire Hall design was engaged to prepare a Space/Needs analysis. The report substantiated the need for increased space for current and future needs. The report was also very clear on the space limitations of the present site. Excerpts from Johnston & Davidson Architects Summary, 2007 Architectural The deficiencies in the spatial layout, building envelope, structural, electrical and mechanical systems, and the small site, indicate that renovating this hall to meet the needs of the Bowen Island fire Department do NOT justify the costs. Very tight site. Building does not meet current energy and/or water conservation. Does not meet current code requirements for accessibility or fire separations. Does not meet current programmatic requirements of a firehall of current standards. Mechanical / Electrical Current systems do not meet code and would require major updating such as providing proper ventilation to all rooms, energy efficient electrical and mechanical equipment, and a new hydro service Structural Emergency lighting and plumbing do not meet the standards of the current BC Building Code. The BC Building Code requires that Fire halls be designed to meet post disaster standards, which will be difficult and expensive to achieve, requiring the replacement of many exterior walls and the addition of new footings. The cost of the structural portion of the upgrade alone could exceed the cost of a new building. This structural report is to be upgraded to reflect the changes to the 2006 BC Building Code which is more severe in its seismic design requirements. The Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) prepared a report in 2007 considering Fire Department service on Bowen Island. That report recommended that Bowen Island build a new main fire hall closer to the Snug Cove area and build an additional satellite hall to the south (the satellite hall was constructed in 2011). One of the Fire Underwriter s Survey key recommendations was to increase the number of firefighters on the roster. At that time it was suggested that an additional 6 members be added. The Fire Department took on an additional 3 members as that was the maximum we felt could be added with the space available.
2010 In 2010, a report was prepared by Fire Chief Brian Biddlecombe to address the option of acquiring a tanker truck and housing it in a satellite hall. Excerpt from Report by Brian Biddlecombe, 2010 The growth of our community and the increased demand for fire protection requires that we plan for additional equipment to meet those needs. One of the main recommendations of the Fire Underwriter s Survey (2010) was to plan for the acquisition of a tanker. In the past we have utilized one of our existing pumpers to shuttle water to areas on the island without hydrants. While this practice, out of necessity, has worked in the past, it has limitations. The development of subdivisions, along with existing areas of the island without hydrants, requires that this deficiency be addressed soon. A tanker of 3000 gallon capacity with pumping capability would provide protection to those areas without hydrants. During the summer wildfire season, a timely response with this extra water supply would be of major benefit. This truck would require proper housing. There are no spare bays in the present fire hall. Adding an additional bay to the present hall, or erecting another building on the present site is impractical. While we could accommodate a tanker in a new hall, we no longer have the option of delaying this purchase based on the time involved with site acquisition and building design and construction times for a new main hall. The planning for replacement of the main Fire Hall is still progressing. However, the acquisition of property near the present site is not a sure thing and might well take a long time. Other options have to be investigated. The long term requirement for fire protection for the island will most likely entail a satellite hall. The logical location would be on the west side. There is municipality owned property near the intersection of Adams and Bowen Bay roads. A simple structure could be erected that would initially be two bays. The site and building design would allow for future requirements such as a meeting room, storage and possibly additional bays. As the build time for a new tanker would be approximately eight months, a simply designed 2 bay building should be possible to erect in the same period. The implications of building a satellite hall on the west side would mean that a new main hall could be located closer to the cove, the area of highest risk. The satellite hall on Adams Road was built in 2011.
2017 The concern of a building collapse as the result of an earthquake has not changed. The implications of not being able to respond to our community after an earthquake are troubling. While this initial reason for fire hall replacement has not changed, there are other areas of concern: The present Fire Hall does not have a fire suppression sprinkler system. The area around apparatus for volunteers gearing up with protective clothing is inadequate. During fire truck departure and arrival this area is high risk. Age of building is failing, essential components will require significant capital requirements Training/classroom space is practically non-existent. Storage for emergency equipment and supplies is deficient. Building heating, lighting and plumbing systems are of concern Inadequate space for routine maintenance and repair of equipment is inadequate. Our main Fire Hall has served our community well. When it was put into service in the late 1960 s it was state of the art. Over the ensuing years, as additional equipment arrived, with an increased level of training expected, the volunteers adapted. It is now time to catch up and provide the community with a facility that both residents and volunteers deserve and can be proud of. - Brian Biddlecombe - - Retired Fire Chief, Bowen Island -
SBCA = Self Contained Breathing Apparatus