Skip to content

Kitimat council advances bylaw to open fire training grounds to outside use

Kitimat’s fire training grounds could soon become a shared resource for emergency services across the region under a new bylaw regulating third-party use and fees.
kitimat-sign_1

Kitimat’s fire training grounds could soon become a shared resource for emergency services across the region under a new bylaw regulating third-party use and fees. The council approved the first three readings of Fire Training Grounds Third Party Use and Fees Bylaw No. 2061, 2025, which sets out rules and costs for outside organizations looking to access the facility.

The updated facility, completed in 2022, has attracted interest from other agencies eager to use it for live fire training. Kitimat Fire Chief Trent Bossence emphasized the importance of ensuring users contribute to maintaining the site. “My goal and direction on this is to ensure the facility stays in a useable state; whatever repairs are needed are covered by the parties using it,” he said.

In his report to council, Bossence outlined the potential benefits of the facility for regional emergency responders, as it also fosters collaboration, standardization, and cost-efficiency, enhancing preparedness and effectiveness across a broader area. By centralizing training resources, he said the facility provides access to resources that might otherwise be unavailable to some organizations, ensuring consistent, high-quality training regardless of location.

While supporting the vision in general, council discussed the practicality of regular fee reviews, with some members voicing concerns over workload. Councillor Mario Feldhoff suggested extending the review period to every three years to avoid unnecessary work, while staff proposed annual reviews focusing on wage adjustments. Councillor Terry Marleau supported the bylaw but stressed the importance of balancing affordability with upkeep costs. “We’ve also got to recognize the wear and tear on a facility that is built, essentially, for our firefighters in our community,” he said.

Staff explained that the fees reflect expenses such as staff wages, water use, and consumables like smoke products. The centralized facility could enhance collaboration, improve training standards, and foster cost efficiency for regional emergency responders.

With the bylaw having passed its first three readings, staff will bring it back to council at a future meeting for final adoption, paving the way for the fire training grounds to serve as a regional hub.



About the Author: Quinn Bender

Read more