It is official!
The new Valleycliffe fire hall, which houses the Squamish Fire Rescue headquarters and Emergency Operations Centre, is now operational.
“This new facility enhances our ability to offer fast and effective service to the community and offers valuable improvements in the areas of firefighter decontamination and training facilities,” said Chief Bill Stoner in a District news release.
“On behalf of all the members of Squamish Fire Rescue, we are grateful to council and the community for supporting this important new build to ensure the highest quality of emergency response that SFR is known for now and into the future.”
Firefighters, community members and dignitaries celebrated the official opening on Friday with a ceremony and open house.
At the ceremony in front of Squamish Fire Hall 1, Squamish Fire Rescue members led a fire truck push-in ceremony, which is a long-standing tradition amongst fire departments that dates back to the late 1800s, according to the release.
The ceremony also included a dedication to Henry Alexander Munro, the Village of Squamish’s first fire chief from 1912 to 1950.
"He devoted the remainder of his life to the fire service and served as fire chief from 1912 until his retirement in 1950 — just a few months before his passing— at age 81. He was recognized with a Good Citizenship Award after his retirement," reads the release.
The original fire hall on Clarke Drive carried Munro's name.
The new hall includes a rock cairn and dedication plaque, a public display, and the original Alex Munro Fire Hall sign.
Janice DesJardins, Munro's granddaughter, had spoken out against the drop of Munro’s name on the building — and at one point said that she would not attend the ceremony — but once the District said it is going to include the original sign on the building, she attended.
"I was glad we attended the dedication event at the fire hall. We were treated very graciously," she told The Squamish Chief.
But she remains concerned that her grandfather's name isn't yet on the hall.
"I am concerned that it will not be made a priority and allowed to be put off until the 2024 budget," she said. " I am aware there are ways to address unforeseen expenses, and I am going to have faith and trust that Mayor and Council will correct the mistake they have apologized for as soon as possible. Especially since it is a priority for my family, and we have aging family members who would like to see it before they are gone."
Her mother and Munro's daughter Julie DesJardins was also in attendance.
"My Mom thought it was a lovely event and felt acknowledged and validated by the dedication made to her dad, Alex H. Munro, Sr.," said DesJardins.
"She is anxious to see his name on the building to ensure the building can be known as the 'Alex Munro Firehall.' She wished there had been more time and notice so more family members could attend, but she was especially thrilled to be with her nephew, Alex Munro Jr.’s oldest son, Dan Munro and his wife and children — who travelled from Vancouver Island and who she had not seen for many years."
All told, from Munro's family, there was a daughter, grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren present for the event.
First new muni building since 2009
“We have much to collectively celebrate with the completion of this emergency services building that will improve our response in emergencies and better support our firefighters and emergency management staff. This is the first new municipal facility built since 2009, and its completion marks a major milestone in what has been an unprecedented period of critical facility investment and financial resource evaluation, design and construction over the last four years," said Mayor Karen Elliott in the news release.
"With Fire Hall No. 2 on Tantalus Road scheduled to break ground this fall, Squamish can be confident that our first responders are well-housed and well-equipped long into the future to serve the community. This building also sets a new standard for green buildings in Squamish as it achieves the equivalent of Silver LEED certification and diverted 88% of waste — including throughout demolition — from the landfill.”
About Squamish Fire Rescue
The fire department currently has 10 full-time employees and 47 paid on-call firefighters. The combined new fire halls will house seven fire apparatus, four response vehicles, and up to 60 paid-on-call and full-time firefighters and staff.
The new fire hall is the first of three facilities identified for priority replacement in the District of Squamish’s 2019 Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan.
The fire department will also host its annual family-friendly Open House during Fire Prevention Week in October, according to the District. The event has not been held in recent years due to the pandemic.
