Constructing a Sustainable Energy Fire Hall in the City of Welland

The City of Welland is consolidating three fire stations into one newly constructed, low-energy use Headquarters. This will be home to Suppression, Training and Prevention divisions and will support a harmonious environment for full-time and volunteer firefighters to work together as a team. With modern amenities, this building will provide for the department's future needs. It will also provide a healthier and more energy-efficient workplace. The goal is to construct a 21,000 sq ft fire station that will exceed the National Energy Cody by 75%. Located on a former industrial site, the project will see a Brownfield site's remediation, and it will include a fire training center, including a live burn simulation tower. Remediation was completed in line with a Phase Two Environmental and Risk Assessment. The stormwater management pond will be shaped to contrast the various water bodies in the community and host realistic training scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. The water in the pond will be recirculated for firefighter training and equipment testing.  The building itself will have modern design components that focus on reducing energy use, limiting solar gain, and lowering building systems' demand. Low-use devices will limit the energy consumed and reduce the demand for utility systems. The building will complement the inhabitants and ensure a high quality of life within. Energy use and environmental impact have been a focus since the early design stages and will include construction methods and materials that will balance return on the investment. The additional costs to make these modifications and the return on investment will be available for others who wish to pursue a similar goal. 
Each of these components is designed to be repeatable and easy to replicate for other departments around the province. Building performance and data will be available to support decision-making for others who wish to construct an energy-efficient fire station. The City of Welland will publish data on its website to compare its new building's performance against that of its older buildings. It is anticipated that the consolidated firehall will outperform any of the existing smaller buildings.