The Ilam Fire Station and the fire engineering educational training facility builds are nearing completion at their new home next to Canterbury University at the Creyke Rd and Montana Ave intersection.
The project forms part of a rebuild programme following the Christchurch earthquakes, involving the redevelopment of 12 stations to create a modern, unified network of stations across the city.
And because the university was the only one in the country to offer fire engineering qualifications, the training facility will share resources and work hand-in-hand with Canterbury University.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand required a single career crew station in Ilam and the new station will provide state-of-the-art facilities to support rapid response to the Ilam community,” Stackhouse said.
“The new site will also be home to a fire engineering educational training facility, where fire engineers can work closely with students and experts of the University of Canterbury’s fire engineering programme.
“Canterbury is the only university in New Zealand offering qualifications in fire engineering.”
Having the station alongside the university provided an opportunity to upskill current and future fire engineers.
It also provided fire safety and risk reduction activities to a student audience which was traditionally “harder to achieve.”
It also includes a kitchen, lounge, gym, meeting rooms, and a secure yard for parking and to wash appliances.
The training facility comprises of an office space for six fire engineers and two hot desks, two training rooms that can cater for 100 people, a kitchen, cafeteria and rooms for meetings, utility and locker amenities and ablutions.
A FENZ spokeswoman said the official opening date will be announced closer to the time.
