The Burn Fund Centre officially opened on March 18, 2016
In 2002, the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund recognized the need to provide accommodation for the families of burn survivors and began a visioning exercise that led to the creation of the Burn Fund Centre which officially opened on March 18, 2016.
On this day, the Burn Fund Centre opened its doors welcoming the burn survivor community and the donors and fire fighters who made the Centre a reality. The Burn Fund Centre answers a critical need for suitable short-term patient accommodation for burn and trauma survivors and their families. It also serves as the home of the Burn Fund and BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association offices and offers accommodation to fire fighters visiting Vancouver for medical treatment.
Total Project Budget: $13.1M
City of Vancouver provided land for the Centre;
$4M investment from BC Housing & BC Ministry of Health;
$2.5M donation from the Jack & Darlene Poole Foundation;
$1.3M pledged from Fire Fighter Locals;
$750,000 in donated services from Concert Properties;
Ground Breaking – September 17, 2014;
Construction Started – November, 2014;
Construction Completed – December 2015;
Burn Fund Offices move to new location December 2015;
Grand Opening – March 18, 2016!
HomeAway Accommodation Suites opened in April 2016
Take a virtual Tour of the Burn Fund Centre
During Burn Awareness Week, members from Richmond Fire Department created this short video about the Burn Fund Centre.
Learn more Board of Director, Erin Dempsey-Moore and Prevention Officer, Kylie McDonald.
HOMEAWAY PROGRAM
The Centre provides 8 short-term accommodations—a home away from home, for British Columbians needing to travel to Vancouver under emergency circumstances for medical treatment due to burn and major trauma injuries, patients in discharge transition or returning for follow up treatment. The suites include a kitchenette and there is also a communal full service family kitchen for meal preparation. Guests will find other comforts of home provided such as a family living room, library/study and outdoor decks.
Since March 2016,
795 visitors have stayed over 11,000 nights at the HomeAway Accommodation Centre.
Longest stay was 1 year;
Youngest guest 18 months old;
IMPACT QUOTES
“The Home Away Program enabled my mom to stay in Vancouver to be with me through my burn recovery and be at the hospital every day to support me. It also gave me a safe, welcoming space to continue to heal before I was able to go home. I was given resources and an immense amount of support through the people I met at Burn Fund.”
—Talia, Burn Survivor
“We arrived in Vancouver with our son who had an accident with hot oil. The Burn Fund has been one of the most wonderful experiences throughout this time. Peter the manager has helped with everything we needed! We were here for 52 days and I couldn’t be more grateful to find this place. Thank you for your home away from home!”
—Taylor, Burn Survivor Parent
THE TEAM
Our incredible staff team occupies the 3rd floor office space and board rooms shared by both the BCPFFA and Burn Fund respective boards. Thanks to all our Fire Fighter locals, Burn Fund Reps, donors, partners and friends of the Burn Fund. We could not do this work without you!
