By the late 1990’s the Otter Point fire department had identified the need to have affordable Justice Institute accredited training available on lower Vancouver Island and the idea was born to build the Otter Point training centre.  About two years went into the planning and research phase with the majority of this working being done by Jarvis Seabrook.  Jarvis has become the project coordinator and has contributed countless volunteer hours to the project. 

With the sale of a piece of property, initial funding was established and ground was broken early 2001.  The area behind the fire hall was cleared and levelled in the summer of 2001. After leaving it for a winter to check the drainage system, construction started in spring of 2002.The majority of the labour has been done by our own multi-talented fire fighters. 

The main structure of the training centre was formed by using five shipping containers.  Doors, windows, and staircases were installed.  The interior resembles a home with a kitchen and living area downstairs, and a bedroom and bathroom upstairs.  There are also lower and upper burn rooms lined with padgenite panels added to one side of the main area.  The layout lends itself to much versatility and the simulation of a variety of scenerios.  The burn rooms have been fitted with sensors, controls, and a fan system with redundant safety systems built in. WCB has inspected the centre and is pleased with the safety systems in place. 

We are currently burning wood pallets and are able to experience fires of 500° F at the five foot level and 700° F plus at the ceiling level. This provides for some exciting and realistic training experiences.

All the water used will be collected in perimeter drains and recycled through a set of holding tanks from which the pumpers will draft.

The project is nearing completion. We've now installed props consisting of a dumpster fire, a propane tank fire, and a car fire in order to achieve certification from the Justice Institute to train and certify for Fire Attack I and II.  The burn rooms are also now fully operational. A portable class room has been setup and is ready for class room sessions.

We and our neighbours in Sooke have been using the training centre for a number of years now to practice ladder work and search and rescue. This year we started full training scenarios making use of all the props and burn runs.

We wish to acknowledge the funding support provided by the Sooke Fire Department and the Province of British Columbia (Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch).

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Fall/Winter 2006

The control room and the exterior propane valve bank are finished. The exterior propane props; dumpster, propane fuel tank, pan and vehicle fire areas were completed. Most of the area has been paved and fenced.

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Spring/Summer 2007

This period saw hundreds of little details finished off in preparation for site inspection by the Justice Institute of British Columbia in order to become an approved "Live Fire" training facility. Our own department has been using the facility this year as well as we hosted a Fire Cadet Camp operated by Pender Island Fire Rescue.

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