Following is a letter to Burnaby residents from Mayor Mike Hurley
The target response time for firefighters to arrive on the scene of an emergency is just over six minutes. Everything we can do to support our firefighters meeting that standard in Burnaby is crucial.
With hotter, drier summers, more extreme weather, and rising demand for medical and other emergency services, the Burnaby Fire Department responded to 16,635 incidents in 2023, 17,460 in 2024, and a total of 18,548 last year, including 25 classified as major incidents requiring multiple alarm responses.
Having spent 30 years working as a firefighter in this city, we lived through periods when we were operating out of temporary fire stations. We still got the job done, but it wasn’t ideal.
When you’re responding to what are often the worst days of someone’s life, you need to be properly prepared, both physically and mentally.
That’s why I know just how important the new Fire Station 8 on Burnaby Mountain is for our firefighters and for the communities they serve. It’s also why the expanded wildfire prevention program on the Mountain matters so much.
Being ready to meet that six-minute response time - or beat it - depends on preparation. Here’s how we’re supporting that:
Wildfire prevention program
We’re seeing hotter, drier summers, and wildfire risk is evolving as a result. Burnaby Mountain is home to residents, students, and critical infrastructure, and that reality means we have to be proactive and to stay ahead of risk.
That’s why the City Council this week approved a significant expansion of Burnaby’s wildfire prevention program on the Mountain.
We’re installing an autonomous wildfire detection system that can identify heat and smoke in near real time. This includes smoke-detection cameras and ground sensors placed in strategic locations, with a focus on urban-wildland boundaries, evacuation corridors and high-consequence areas such as those near Simon Fraser University and the Trans Mountain Tank Farm.
Locations are being selected in partnership with SFU to ensure the system reflects how the Mountain is actually used.
Early detection is key. The sooner we know something is happening, the faster crews can respond, and the better our chances of avoiding a worst-case scenario.
City of Burnaby invests in expanded wildfire prevention program for Burnaby Mountain
We’re also working with wildfire science experts at SFU to better understand fire conditions on the Mountain. This work includes deploying advanced monitoring stations to collect real-time data on weather and soil conditions, strengthening both emergency preparedness and longer-term planning.
Together, these investments directly support our preparations for a full-scale emergency exercise planned for Burnaby Mountain in 2027. This is about being proactive, using the best available tools and expertise and doing everything we can to keep Burnaby safe.
The location of Fire Station 8
Fire Station 8 opened last year as a permanent, purpose-built station serving Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University, and surrounding neighbourhoods.
In early 2023, firefighters began operating out of a temporary facility in the UniverCity area, in adapted office space with a kitchen and some dorm rooms. Before that temporary hall opened, there was nothing, and the closest station serving the Mountain was Station 6. Even on a good day, that was a long haul up steep roads, especially when every minute matters.
We heard loud and clear from the community that they wanted a stronger public safety presence on the Mountain, for fire protection and medical response.
Being based in the area allows crews to learn the neighbourhood, understand the buildings, and do the day-to-day work needed to support wildfire preparedness. You need to be in the facility and in the community to do that properly.
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, something that was clear at the open house, where about 90 per cent of local residents came out to see the station and learn what it means for their safety.
Our first responders do some of the toughest work there is. Supporting them starts with giving them the right facilities. Fire Station 8 is a major step forward for Burnaby.
Training and purpose-built design
Fire Station 8 was designed not just for today, but for the long-term safety of Burnaby and the unique needs of Burnaby Mountain. This purpose-built facility spans about 15,000 square feet and includes three drive-through apparatus bays sized for today’s emergency vehicles and space for specialized wildfire equipment tailored to this forested environment.
From my own experience as a firefighter, I know that training where you work makes you better at the work you do. Firefighters continually train in areas like live fire drills, technical rescue, and incident command - skills we use on everything from structural fires to wildland and grass fires.
Regular, on-site training builds muscle memory, sharpens decision-making, and ensures crews are ready for the varied emergencies this city faces.
Having the right equipment on-site means crews can run realistic drills with the exact tools they’ll rely on in an emergency. It means firefighters can practise accessing and deploying that equipment quickly, consistently and safely, something that really matters when every second counts.
Fire Station 8 also reflects modern priorities - it was built to post-disaster seismic standards, so it remains operational in the event of an earthquake, and incorporates energy-efficient systems that align with the City’s Climate Action plan.
Purpose-built apparatus bays and training spaces aren’t just about convenience, they’re about keeping response times short, skills sharp, and our community safe both today and for decades to come.
A place to reset and recover
In early 2024, the Burnaby Fire Department transitioned from 12 hour shifts to a 24 hour shift model, a change that allows crews to be on site longer and better integrate training with operations. But that transition also means crews are at the station for longer periods, meaning recovery space matters even more.
Fire Station 8 was designed with this need in mind. It includes dedicated living quarters, sleeping areas, a kitchen, and shower facilities so firefighters can rest and take care of themselves between calls. The station also has decontamination space, letting crews clean up after smoke or hazardous exposures before they rest.
That combination of rest space and support facilities keeps our firefighters ready and safe throughout long shifts. I know from experience, when you’re coming off a tough call in the middle of the night, having a proper place to reset helps you show up ready for the next one.
To all the firefighters of Burnaby: thank you for your commitment, your professionalism, and your courage. This new state-of-the-art station and expanded wildfire prevention program are a recognition of the vital work you do every single day.
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