A former city councillor is taking up the charge to have the city's new public safety building named after the city's first employee and fire chief.

Doug Gallup, one of the more controversial council members through the 1980s, said this morning he'll be pushing the city to name the new structure the Fred Blaker Public Safety Building.

"His biggest concern was the citizens of Whitehorse and (their) safety,” Gallup said of the former fire chief.

Debate over the name of the new building that's currently under construction at the top of Two Mile Hill hit council chambers Monday night as members reviewed the proposed names.

City staff have recommended the Whitehorse Public Safety Building as the name. Mayor Bev Buckway and Coun. Betty Irwin supported that, while Coun. Dave Stockdale argued in favour of the Fred Blaker Public Safety Building.

"It's a no-brainer,” Stockdale said, noting its historical reference and its reflection of the community's character.

Gallup agrees. As far as he's concerned, he said, Fred Blaker fathered "every last guy” who came after him in running the fire department.

After learning of the council debate, Gallup was on the phone to Stockdale, a former council colleague, to voice his support.

Gallup wasn't shy about stating that in the 20-plus years he's been off council, he hasn't once phoned Stockdale about anything or even voted for him. In this case, Gallup said, he has no problem supporting the councillor.

While Buckway suggested some may be offended if the city chooses the name of one former fire chief over another, like Stockdale, Gallup said he's not afraid of offending anyone.

And many, such as former mayor Flo Whyard (which was one suggested name), would likely agree the building should be named after Blaker, Gallup suggested.

"He was an awesome guy,” he said.

The building will also serve purposes other than a fire hall – including housing the bylaw department, an area for major computer infrastructure, and room for meetings of the Emergency Measures Organization and so on. However, Gallup was quick to note the fire hall remains the anchor of the building and has been a long time coming.

Gallup is hoping to take his campaign to the airwaves and is planning to appear as a delegate at next Monday's council meeting to address the issue.

This morning, Stockdale said he appreciates the support he's hearing to name the structure the Fred Blaker Public Safety Building.

Now that he's made his position clear to the rest of council, he said, it's now in the hands of the community to decide whether it's a major issue to raise with council.

Many he's spoken to believe Blaker is the obvious choice to be honoured by the new building.

Stockdale also noted the contributions of the Blaker family to the city are not limited to Fred's alone.

While Blaker was the city's first fire chief, other family members have worked in engineering as well as the fire department.

The suggestion for the Fred Blaker Public Safety Building also came from city staff.

"Fred became fire chief when the city was incorporated in 1950,” notes a report on the name. "Fred was noted for his substantial contributions to the City of Whitehorse both as an employee and as a resident. Fred later became fire marshall, manager of fire services and director of safety and emergency services.”

When he retired in 1989, Blaker received numerous letters of recognition from the likes of then-prime minister Brian Mulroney, then-Yukon MP Audrey McLaughlin, then-commissioner Ken McKinnon and then-Yukon premier Tony Penikett.

He was also the first Yukoner to receive the Governor General's Fire Services Exemplary Service medal.

The award goes to members who have served for 20 years in a recognized fire service, with 10 of those years performing duties that involve potential risks.

"Exemplary service is characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency,” it's noted.

The report goes on to point out, however, that a street in Wolf Creek – Blaker Place – is already named in Blaker's honour. The city's addressing and naming policy states that street names shouldn't sound similar to others within the city and, if possible, in the same 911 area.

"The policy also states that names of streets shall not duplicate the name of a subdivision in another area of the city,” it's noted.

City staff met with Canada Post officials as well to look at whether naming the building after Blaker would cause problems for mail delivery.

"Canada Post stated that naming the building after Fred Blaker may mean that mail gets misdirected to Blaker Place and vice-versa,” notes the administrative report.

"However, the physical address of the building will remain 305 Range Road and mail will still be sent to city hall, which should reduce any addressing and mail delivery confusion.”

As for where the current fire chief stands on the naming of the structure he will spend much of his working time in, he won't say.

Reached today, Clive Sparks, whose name was also suggested for the structure as the Sparks Building, refused to enter the debate when questioned on it, noting the name is a decision for council.

Asked about his own personal preference, he would only comment with a laugh: "I don't want to get stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

First and second readings of the bylaw for the name are set to come forward to council next week.