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The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s (WFPS) new station 9 in Windsor Park is officially commissioned.
On June 18, the new station replaced the previous one that was at the same address. "Station 9 reflects a modern approach to emergency service: strategic, efficient, and built to serve residents better,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham in a news release. “By consolidating services in one well-designed, green facility, we’re improving response times and making smart use of city resources.”
The new station includes several upgrades, including five bays and houses a fire engine and crew, a rescue unit, the hazardous materials team, an ambulance and crew, and a fire investigator.
The WFPS Master Plan released in 2020 shared how fewer stations that were designed more efficiently would be more beneficial if located in strategic parts of the city. Response times would be improved and would meet future emergency services demands.
“The official commissioning of the new Station 9 marks a significant step forward in how we deliver emergency services in Winnipeg. By consolidating resources and strategically investing in modern, efficient infrastructure, we’re ensuring that first responders have the tools they need to protect our community now and into the future. This station reflects the vision laid out in the WFPS Master Plan—one that prioritizes faster response times, smarter service delivery, and long-term sustainability,” said Vivian Santos, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services in a news release.
The new station will target Two Green Globe requirements for environmental design. "The station has geothermal ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling and is the first of its kind in a City building," the City said in a news release.
Station 9 also includes energy recovery ventilators, high efficiency lighting, greater than required roof insulation values, low flow plumbing fixtures, and other green considerations.
“I am pleased to see that WFPS Station 9 in Windsor Park is now operational. Council is funding the 2020 WFPS Master Plan which outlined the need for a larger station at this site to replace the old station. It will be used to better serve the residents of Windsor Park and surrounding communities, so they will have ambulances and fire trucks closer to home,” said Matt Allard, Councillor for St. Boniface in a news release.
New additions also include a training room, air compressor, and bifold bay doors, which will reduce response times by 15 seconds each time they are used and are a first of their kind in Winnipeg.
“This new station is just one more way we’re ensuring we set our service, and our City, up for success,” said Christian Schmidt, Fire and Paramedic Chief, WFPS in a news release. “Consolidating two stations into one larger, more efficient station is just one more way we’re meeting our City’s evolving needs.”
As of completion, the final cost of the station was $16 million, including $3.7 million from the Government of Canada, $140,962 from the Province of Manitoba‘s grant through the Merit-based Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF).