A5
                                                 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: March 7, 1997
                                           Dept. File No. F587-50.01
                                           C.C. File: 1602-1

   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     General Manager, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services

   SUBJECT:  Fire Department 1997 Capital Funding Request


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT Council approve the 1997 Fire Protection Capital Budget
        totalling $1.27 million with funding allocated as follows:

        (1)  Reconstruction of Firehall No. 3 (design)    $500,000

        (2)  Phase II of the Fire Training Facility       $770,000

        source of funding to be from borrowing authority as provided in the
        1997-1999 Capital Plan.

   GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

        The General Manager of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
        RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

   COUNCIL POLICY

   The 1997 Capital Plan plebiscite provided authority to borrow up to
   $6.70 million to complete a number of Fire Protection Capital projects.

   SUMMARY

   Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services has a long-term plan for upgrading
   and improving its capital and training systems in order to maintain an
   effective fire protection and emergency response system. The following
   projects have been prioritized for the next three years:

       Reconstruction of Firehall No. 3 and Firehall No. 18.
       Completion of the Fire Training facility to provide live fire
        training, and provision of additional training props.

   PURPOSE

   This report outlines the projects proposed in the Fire Protection 
   portion of the 1997-1999 Capital Plan and seeks funding to commence
   planning, design and implementation as outlined herein.

   BACKGROUND

   The 1994-1996 Capital Plan provided funding of $1.26 million for Phase I
   of the Training Facilities including class room, first-aid, and a drill
   tower, and $500,000 for the planning and design phases of Firehall No.
   18. 

   The Training Facilities are under construction and are nearing
   completion. Design of Firehall No. 18 was deferred subject to an
   assessment of the amalgamation of the University Fire Department with
   Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, and planning requirements for the
   Emergency Operations and Communications Centre.

   The 1997 plebiscite provided authority for the City to borrow funds in
   the amount of $6,670,000 for the following projects:

    1.  Reconstruction of Firehall No. 18         $3.200million

    2.  Reconstruction of Firehall No. 3           2.700million

    3.  Phase II of the Training Facility           .770million
                                                  $6.700million                                         Total


   DISCUSSION

   The 1997 portion of the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services capital
   funding will be utilized for the following projects:

   1.   Firehall No. 3 (1997 Capital Funding - $500,000)

        Funding will be used for consultants to prepare a functional
        program, working drawings and apply for a development permit. It is
        estimated that the planning and design phases of the work will take
        approximately one year to complete. Construction is expected to
        commence in 1998.

        Planning and design of Firehall No. 18 will be funded from existing
        Capital Plan funding.

   2.   Phase II Fire Training Facility (1997 Capital Funding - $770,000)

        Phase I of the Fire Training Facility was constructed as part of
        the 1994-1996 Capital Plan, and included construction of a
        classroom, offices and drill tower.

        Phase II of the Training Facility will consist of the construction
        of additional props to complete a simulated streetscape and the
        provision of live fire training capability in the drill tower.

   FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

   The Fire Protection portion of the 1997-1999 Capital Plan is $6,670,000
   with funding provided from debenture authority. Operating costs for the
   facilities will be funded from the department's current operating
   budget.

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