Unique Prince Rupert Port Authority RFP for Emergency Response facility could set template for future partnerships with City

Land behind the Lester Centre from the Public Works Yard
to the Highway is the subject for a proposed Port led initiative

The Prince Rupert Port Authority has put out a Request for Proposal this week seeking participation in a concept that could one day see Prince Rupert firefighters operating out of a new facility just off of Wantage Road near the Lester Centre.

The Introduction to the RFP posted to the BC Bid website outlines the scope of the initial work towards investigating a new emergency response facility, complete with training facility focused on providing firefighting capabilities to Prince Rupert and surrounding areas.

The PRPA notes that the conceptual design is envisioned to provide an understanding of the entire scope of the project and anticipated costs to aid in moving this project beyond the conceptual stage.

As the Port Prospectus outlines it, this work will require compiling user requirements, identify optimal layout of a fire hall and training facility, determine options for access to the site, develop a conceptual design and provide a cost estimate for the capital development.

Area between Public Works yard and Lester Centre
has been identified as the site of the proposed facility
(from Google maps)

The location for the proposed facility has been identified by the PRPA as land under the control of the City of Prince Rupert, in an area bounded by the Lester Centre of the Arts, and Yellowhead highway to the north, forest to the east, the City Public Works Yard to the Southeast and Wantage Road to the Southwest.

Six areas make for the Key elements of the Project from the RFP

click to enlarge

The timeline towards the RFP issued on July 5,  shows a selection date for the successful proponent of August 10th, with the Completion for the conceptual design work deadline set for October 28, 2022.

The North Coast Review contacted Katherine Voigt of the PRPA to gain a bit more background on the project, in her response she noted of the co-operative nature of the plans between the PRPA and the City of Prince Rupert towards the need for a new Fire Hall for the PRFD.

PRPA and the City of Prince Rupert are working cooperatively to investigate the opportunity for a new and enhanced Emergency Response and Training facility. 

Recognizing the City’s need for a new fire hall, as well as the requirement for various port operations to internally provide or contract specific emergency services that aren’t currently available locally, PRPA and the City believe there may be significant mutual benefit in a collaborative capital and operating venture. 

This conceptual design work is an early step in determining the feasibility of such a project.

The full documentation from the PRPA towards the RFP can be reviewed from the BC Bid website.

The need for that new facility for the PRFD made up for one of the elements for Mayor Lee Brain's recent State of the City presentation one week ago, the Mayor noting at the time of the seismic issues of the Current facility and the discussion with industry about other suppression opportunities that will be required.

"Our Fire Hall has seismic upgrades that are needed, it's in a very poor location, it was built in the fifties, and it wasn't built to today's standards and we actually have to custom order Fire Trucks so they can fit into the actual  bays ... this has to go basically, unfortunately.

So now we're in the process of that, we've been doing some site surveys, we've been doing some initial designs and probably next year you'll hear more about what's gonna happen with Fire.

You know we have a lot of Industrial growth actually happening as well, discussion with the industry that they're going to need more  fire suppression opportunities, so Fire/Emergency service is gonna be a big part of this community's growth  and we need to set up for the future and this is just one of those have to haves as well." -- Mayor Lee Brain speaking on the need for a new Fire Hall at his June 28tth State of the City presentation

The State of the City presentation was also one that noted of the desire to build partnerships in the community and if this initiative should come to fruition, that certainly would be a showcase example as to how those future partnerships could work.

We outlined that segment of his presentation here.

So far, the city has not made any comment through their website, or social media feeds (City) (Mayor) about the creative initiative to solve at least one of the many issues on the list from the June 28th presentation. 

The proposed project is one however that does seem to indicate some progress and willingness from the region's largest employer to help with some key infrastructure for the community and could set the template for future partnerships for the Port and City on challenging issues. 

And with that in mind, the proposed concept for  a new Emergency Response Facility, we imagine at some point will make for a topic for discussion for the public from the Mayor and City council.

One which may fill in a few more details from the City's side of the project towards development, cost and other items of note for the public related to the concept.

More items of note related to the Port can be reviewed from our archive page here.

Council Discussion themes from Prince Rupert Council can be reviewed here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.