Hanover will celebrate the future of emergency services this weekend with the official grand opening of its new Net Zero Firehall. The community is invited to take part in the festivities on Saturday, May 10.
Fire Chief Jeff Dentinger explained the event begins at 10 a.m. and dignitaries from the federal, provincial, and regional governments will join Mayor Sue Paterson and representatives from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office for the celebration
"There will be speeches from local dignitaries and the ribbon-cutting," he added. "And then afterwards, we will be having a pancake breakfast for a donation. And then, as well, there will be many demonstrations and guided tours of the new fire station."
There will also be a community BBQ hosted by the Hanover Firefighters’ Association. The $7 million facility, which officially became operational in December, marks a significant investment in local infrastructure and sustainability.
The firehall features cutting-edge energy-efficient systems, including solar power generation, advanced heat recovery, and upgraded insulation.
"It creates its own electricity," Dentinger pointed out. "It's much larger than our old station with four drive-through bays. We also incorporated a training area into the station, where our firefighters can train in a smoke filled rooms for search and rescue with movable walls and many other amenities that help them to train."
Dentinger said the new hall has improved both training and response times.
Construction of the firehall began in the fall of 2023, with local companies Dawley Engineering and Domm Construction Limited leading the project. In addition to the apparatus bays and training areas, the new hall includes an honour hall, hose tower, gear room, and administrative offices
“We are excited to celebrate a new era of fire and emergency services in a facility built for the future,” said Mayor Paterson. “Residents are encouraged to attend the grand opening and see firsthand the state-of-the-art, new net-zero firehall that provides our valued fire and rescue team with the space and training elements necessary for their important work.”
The project was funded by contributions from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Province of Ontario, and a local sponsorship campaign that raised over $40,000 for the training area.
“The Ontario government is proud to invest in our frontline heroes in Hanover through the Skills Development Fund,” said David Piccini, Ontario's Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Hanover’s cutting-edge firehall will ensure the Fire and Rescue team have a new and improved space that will enhance their capability to serve and keep their community safe.”
Hanover Fire Service has 35 members, with three full-time employees and the remainder paid on call.