Regional distict Fire Chiefs, from left, Keremeos Chief Jordy Bosscha, Willowbrook Deputy Chief Tony Iannella, Kaleden Chief Denis Gaudry, and Naramata Chief Tony Trovao at the regional district director's meeting July 19, 2018.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - Three  regional district fire chiefs and a deputy fire chief presented their plans for the future operations of the region’s fire departments to regional district directors yesterday.

Four of the region’s seven fire departments’ representatives made the presentation to Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Directors at yesterday’s board meeting, July 19, representing the fledgling South Okanagan Similkameen Fire Chiefs Association.

Oversight of the region’s departments reverted back to the regional district board following rescindment of the regional district’s most recent fire bylaw in April.

An inability by regional district staff to include chiefs in the decision making process, and widely divergent views on fire department personnel’s relationship to the regional district - whether volunteer or paid staffers - resulted in the motion to repeal a bylaw that centralized administration of the district’s seven departments.

Since the April repeal, the chiefs have wasted no time moving forward, organizing themselves and initiating training programs.

Kaleden Fire Chief Denis Gaudry, acting as spokesperson for the group, told the directors the fire departments were “as well prepared for the wildfire season as we could be.”

Since the bylaw repeal in April, the chiefs have organized the South Okanagan Similkameen Fire Chiefs Association, made up of the Naramata, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Willowbrook, Keremeos and Anarchist Mountain volunteer fire departments.

Tulameen Fire Department opted not to participate in the society.

They have also developed a new bylaw, reviewed the regional district’s Master Fire Plan and created a prioritized checklist of items to be implemented.

Gaudry said the group has also discussed ways to improve emergency services and efficiencies within the regional district through equipment sharing as well as improvements to volunteer membership safety and benefits.

The chiefs association will bring a collective voice to the table when needed, in addition to improving communications between departments, Gaudry said.

The six departments also agreed to work with a single training provider that allows the departments to use the same training and format as before, as they continue training to Playbook standards.

The move is expected to substantially reduce training costs that were escalating as a result of Playbook implementation.

Gaudry also pointed out the need for the chiefs to work to get fire department funding to more sustainable levels, citing the plight of Willowbrook residents.

“Willowbrook had such a huge increase in fire taxes, the community is pushing for the elimination of the fire department due to taxation. We’re worried, we need Willowbrook. It’s a high interface area,” Gaudry said.

The chiefs also sought two resolutions from the board, requesting up to six directors to be appointed as liaisons for the group.

A second resolution would see the chiefs work towards linking with the province to combine fire restriction, campfire and other burning bans so the restrictions would be imposed at the same time across all jurisdictions.

Several directors were skeptical of the new arrangement, with Penticton Directors Andrew Jakubeit and Helena Konanz asking why staff weren’t included in the process.

Board Chair Karla Kozakevich reminded directors under the reverted bylaw, the chiefs were to report to the directors.

“We are their bosses now,” she said.

Director Konanz insisted she “needed more information,” including a staff report and alternatives to the fire chief’s motions.

But Penticton Director Judy Sentes noted the City of Penticton councillors often liaised with city groups, saying the process worked well.

The board approved both resolutions.

- This story was updated at 11 a.m. July 23 to correct the position of Willowbrook Deputy Chief Tony Iannella.

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