A decision on whether to retrofit the Espanola fire hall or build a new one is still a ways off.
Espanola CAO Cynthia Townsend says council has commissioned an engineering assessment of the existing firehall, which will be completed early next year.
She adds the report is expected to determine the options.
She emphasized however, as soon as the engineering report is finalized, council will need to make quick decisions as the new equipment will need to be ordered and the town will have to have somewhere to put it.
The plan is to order a pumper/tanker combo which will have a lead time of about one year, adds Townsend.
The newest fire truck will be 20 years old in 2019, which is key in maintaining the town’s current fire insurance grading.
Other than waiting for the engineering assessment, council has also asked for more information on what is required at public works to meet upcoming accessibility requirements.