Fire paramedic service scouts geothermal option for new station

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This article was published 06/05/2022 (1489 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is seeking a green alternative to heat and cool a new station.

The service wants to apply for third-party funding to add a geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to the project that will consolidate the St. Boniface industrial and Windsor Park fire paramedic stations.

“The WFPS is always looking to lead by example to reduce the environmental impact of our activities,” Chief Christian Schmidt told council’s protection and community services committee Friday.

“The inclusion of (a) geothermal HVAC system in the new Station 9 build would help the city meet its greenhouse-gas reduction targets, annually reducing about 35 tonnes of carbon emissions that would otherwise be produced.”

It’s expected such an upgrade to the HVAC system would add $300,000 to the new station’s $13.4-million price tag.

Committee members unanimously supported the idea Friday, which would allow city staff to seek grants and tax credits from senior governments and Crown corporations to support the project.

The idea still requires council approval.

“I think this is an easy yes. The cost of fossil fuel is increasing and the payback for alternative heating systems is what we need to be looking at, given the energy crisis,” Coun. Sherri Rollins, committee chairwoman, told the Free Press. “The public service wants to do the right thing… and we should be supportive of them.”

Schmidt said the added investment to switch to a geothermal system at the new station, which will be placed at the Windsor Park site, would pay off, due to energy savings.

“The geothermal system has an estimated life of up to 50 years and an estimated capital repayment period of 10 to 15 years, depending on energy costs and what federal and provincial incentives would apply,” he said.

It would also offer a “critical learning opportunity for future construction and HVAC building retrofits,” Schmidt added.

Civic staff report estimates the switch from traditional heating and cooling systems to a geothermal option would save the city about $5,100 per year in carbon tax payments.

While the report doesn’t pinpoint one specific funding option, it notes several provincial and federal grants, as well as tax credits, could help reduce the price.

Rollins hopes this type of green initiative could be pursued throughout the WFPS master plan to replace, renovate and consolidate aging local fire halls, as well as other city projects.

“We’re at the onset of a major capital plan in Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and… incorporating green (building practices) is the right thing to do and, if they can leverage money for the capital plan, all the better,” said Rollins.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga