New Cornwall Fire Services Headquarters Officially Opens

A new era for fighting and preventing fires in Cornwall has begun.

The new Cornwall Fire Services Headquarters opened Wednesday at Brookdale Avenue and Tollgate Road, with dignitaries present for the unveiling of a facility designed to serve the community for the next fifty years.

“This new Headquarters for our Fire Services is an investment in enhanced safety for our residents. The location helps to improve coverage for the northern part of our community, and Highway 401,” said Mayor Justin Towndale. “This new, modern, building will provide an updated location for our firefighters to operate and train at, while also providing operational costs savings thanks to modern building techniques. Thank you to all who were involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

The facility encompasses a single-story footprint of 19,860 square feet (1,845 square meters), making it larger than the combined area of the city’s two other fire stations. The headquarters features a five-bay apparatus room, with two extended bays designed to accommodate 100-foot aerial ladder trucks. The headquarters is designed to facilitate faster emergency response times, enhance firefighter safety, and offer an efficient workspace.

The building has an anticipated lifespan of 50 years and incorporates established features, including a community room for use by inter-agency and city departments. Interest holder sessions were conducted during the design phase, and the station promotes inclusivity with gender-neutral living spaces, washrooms, and showers. The site will also feature a training centre for the city and nearby municipalities.

“Today marks a new chapter for the City of Cornwall,” said Deputy CAO/Fire Chief Matthew Stephenson. “It is not only a milestone for the Cornwall Fire Service, but also a testament to our city’s unwavering dedication to protecting every resident and business. With advanced technology, improved training resources, and enhanced emergency response capabilities, this facility will enable our firefighters to serve Cornwall more efficiently and effectively.”

The development of the new fire headquarters commenced in September 2018 with a public consultation session. The capital project received council approval in 2019. In May 2021, council endorsed the architectural design prepared by J.L. Richards and Associates Ltd., and construction officially commenced two years ago, marked by a ceremonial sod turning event in late May 2023. Key advantages of the chosen site include its direct access to an arterial roadway, ample land area accommodating present requirements as well as future expansion, reduced operating expenses, and availability of newly extended utilities and services.

As the department transitions to the new headquarters in the coming weeks, a family-friendly open house event will be scheduled to allow residents to tour the new facility, meet Sparky the Fire Dog and learn about fire safety.