The Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot fire station has been in operation for a week now. The new building houses the 25 part-time firefighters of the Pincourt/NDIP fire brigade. 

Earlier on Tuesday, September 19, Néomédia was given an exclusive tour of fire station 26 in the company of the fire department director, Yanick Bernier.

In a telephone interview with Néomédia, the mayor of Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, Danie Deschênes, praised the contribution of all parties involved in the project.

"The realization of the fire station project was possible thanks to everyone's involvement. There was a huge amount of work on the part of the city's employees, who put in an enormous number of hours. This achievement was also made possible thanks to the public. It's rare for a project to be completed so quickly and on budget. It's a real source of pride for the members of the council, but also for the people in the town's administration. We're really proud to have given our firefighters a fire station to protect our citizens".

Launched in September 2021, the work represents an investment of $12 million. "It has to be said that we were not entitled to the subsidies available, as the City is in too good a financial shape," she adds.

As for the location, it was chosen strategically to ensure optimum response time in emergency situations. "The response time was already good, but now we're closer to residential areas. So it's quicker for our firefighters to get to the station. I see nothing but positive things, and I think the population is clearly behind this project," continues Ms. Deschênes.

A fire station designed for and by the Fire department

In collaboration with teams from the Ville de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, Yanick Bernier has put down on paper his ideas for the design of this new earthquake-resistant fire station.

The building serves as a residence for the brigade's firefighters, who are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week: "There are two firefighters on duty at night and four during the day to respond to fire calls or those related to the role of first responder. So it's important that the fire station is comfortable, since they spend a lot of time there," explains Mr. Bernier.

For her part, the mayor points out that a long-term vision guided the conceptualization of the infrastructure. 

"Ultimately, the fire station was built so that it could be expanded if necessary. There's definitely a long-term vision in place for the current fire station," emphasized the mayor.

In addition to housing numerous offices for the fire brigade's administrative staff, fire station 26 also houses the firefighters' quarters on the 2nd floor. These include a fully-equipped kitchen, rooms for firefighters on call, a gymnasium and even an outdoor training area for vehicle maneuvers. 

"We worked closely with an architectural firm to design the new fire station. I used my experience and our needs to bring Fire Station 26 to life. It was important to me that every room had a view of the outside or the garage. Firstly, for the brightness it brings, but also so that you can see what's coming in a snowstorm or if the weather turns bad," he says.

Mr. Bernier's experience is evident in every detail of the new building. For example, the oven in the kitchen will shut down if it's on when a call comes in. A washbasin is located in the building's entrance hall, so that citizens or firefighters can wash their hands before entering the building.

The garage ceiling is high enough to deploy truck cabs for maintenance. The lights come on by themselves when a call comes in for a night shift. A heated slab in front of the garage doors facilitates the entry and exit of emergency vehicles.

Interestingly, an emergency measures room has also been set up on the first floor of the building to accommodate all responders required in such a situation. It will also serve as a training room when required.

The building also includes pre-wash toilets and showers located in the garage, so that firefighters can clean up quickly after returning to the fire station. The garage also houses a washer for combat gear, as well as the five fire engines assigned to the station. 

Proof that everything has been thought through? Shelves have even been installed in the garage to house generators and pumps that will be used for civil protection. 

An open house

On Saturday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the general public will be able to discover the fire station which, according to Daniel Garandel, is the most modern in Quebec.

The fire brigade will welcome young and old to its new premises for a day of fun. Inflatable games, a demonstration of the jaws of life, a hot-air balloon in the colors of the Fire Department, gift bags and door prizes await interested visitors at this activity.

"I invite the public to come out in force. After all, it's our citizens who own this fire station. It's their home," concludes Danie Deschênes.

Text written in collaboration with Jessica Brisson