Chester Fire Services Committee
Making the case for a $20 million fire station, one clear message at a time.
The challenge
The Chester Volunteer Fire Department works out of a 1960s station. It answers more than 300 calls a year with about 35 volunteers. Modern trucks don’t fit, and there is no proper way to decontaminate gear after toxic fires.
A new station would cost up to $20 million and bring a modest tax increase. The Committee had to explain why it was needed, earn community trust and raise donations, all in a measured, formal public voice.
What we did
- 01
Created the Committee’s brand and a formal civic voice used across every piece of communication.
- 02
Designed and built the website as the public record for the project: plans, costs, timelines, news and donations.
- 03
Turned dense technical content into plain language, starting with a tri-fold brochure on firefighter health, decontamination and why the old station no longer works.
- 04
Supported the public engagement process, including the May 2026 Public Information Meeting recap and the release of the final Acre Architects design.
- 05
Wrote newspaper advertising for the design unveiling.
- 06
Run the Facebook program, including a two-posts-a-week campaign on the design, the people behind it and the finances.
The result
The project moved from need to final design in public, with residents informed at every step. Building donations reached $287,000 by mid-2026, including $100,000 from the department’s own members.
Results
Chester Fire Services Committee, mid-2026
- $287Kin building donations by mid-2026
- $100Kfrom the department’s own members
- 300+calls a year, answered by about 35 volunteers
Project details
- Client
- Chester Fire Services Committee
- Industry
- Municipal fire services governance
- Location
- Chester, Nova Scotia
- Working together
- 2023 to present
- Scope
- Brand identity, website, social media, print brochures, newspaper advertising, public meeting and news communications