East Hants Fire Service Celebrates New Training Facility

The Municipality of East Hants, East Hants Fire Service and the Government of Canada proudly celebrated the grand opening of the new East Hants Fire Training Facility in Noel on September 12, 2024. This milestone marks a significant advancement for the Fire Service and will enhance the skills and readiness of our local volunteer fire departments. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, Warden Eleanor Roulston and members of East Hants Council and the Fire Service.

Council approved a funding request of $225,000 from the East Hants Fire Service Association in 2022 to make the new training center possible. The Municipality contributed $128,000 from the Common Fire Training Facility Reserve, with additional funding of $97,000, from the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF). The CCBF played a crucial role, underscoring the Federal Government’s dedication to strengthening community infrastructure and fostering resilient, safe communities.

 “The role of our rural fire departments is absolutely essential and supporting our volunteers is equally important. I’m proud to have championed amendments to the Canada Community Building Fund to enable federal dollars for local fire infrastructure,” said MP Kody Blois. “It’s wonderful to see this investment making the Noel Fire Training Facility a reality.”

Volunteer firefighters across East Hants can use the training center for exercises, drills and educational programs designed to improve their skills and preparedness. Equipped with modern amenities and advanced simulation tools, it offers a realistic training environment that replicates real-life emergency scenarios.

“The new East Hants Fire Service training facility represents a major milestone for the rural area of the municipality. This investment by Council reflects the commitment to supporting emergency services and enhancing their capabilities in all of East Hants,” says Warden Eleanor Roulston. “This facility adds another resource as our departments continue to train and work together to protect our communities. We are extremely pleased to be a part of this project which will enhance the safety and preparedness of our first responders as they continue their dedicated service to our residents.”

The facility is expected to positively impact the region by reducing travel time to essential training opportunities and elevating the capabilities of our fire service professionals. For more information on emergency services in East Hants, visit easthants.ca/emergency-services/