Inflationary pressure is the main culprit behind skyrocketing equipment costs for the West 琉璃神社 Fire Department.
Chief Jason Brolund was before city council on Aug. 27 seeking an additional $1.53 million to pay for it all.
He said 30-year high inflation, combined with increased equipment costs and supply shortages have driven up budgets considerably for several capital projects.
One is a new aerial fire engine for Lakeview Heights. Requested in 2023, the original budget was $1.9 million. It鈥檚 now $2.8 million Brolund told council.
鈥淭he fire hall is surrounded by multiple six-storey buildings. Having an aerial apparatus located in that neighbourhood rather than coming from the opposite side of town is critical to protect residents.鈥�
The engine has not been ordered yet.
A fire engine tender approved in 2023 at $800,000 is now $1.1 million Brolund continued. It鈥檚 the first of two the department is requesting. The second is expected in 2027 at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. Tender engines are critical in fighting wild land fires.
A third item was needed renovations to Fire Hall # 33 on Westlake Road. The original cost for that project was $500,000. It鈥檚 now $800,000.
The last item Brolund brought to council鈥檚 attention was pavement replacement at Fire Hall 31 on Old Okanagan Highway. The cost for that project is $100,000 up from $70,000. It was originally approved in 2022.
鈥淭he reason for the significant delay was鈥he best intention was to tie this to a larger capital construction project that was proposed. However, the cost overages were apparent once that project was off the ground and this was not included as a part of it.鈥�
Funding for the aerial engine and the tender will come through borrowing from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC. The fire hall projects will be funded by the city鈥檚 Fire Capital Reserve.
Council unanimously supported the projects.
