RDOS board approves comprehensive review of fire services
A Keremeos fire truck in a 2018 file photo. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has approved a comprehensive review of its fire services.
Photo credit: File photo
PENTICTON — The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors has approved a comprehensive review of its fire services, with an independent consultant expected to examine current operations and make recommendations to guide future decisions.
The review will examine the current delivery of fire services across the regional district. According to an October 15 announcement, the Board intends to use the resulting recommendations to establish a policy providing direction for the future governance, administration and delivery of RDOS fire services.
As a first step, the regional district will invite all RDOS fire chiefs to help determine the scope of the review. Their input will be used to identify operational priorities, challenges and opportunities before the district seeks an independent consultant.
“The Board is committed to an objective and comprehensive review that will help inform the future direction of RDOS Fire Services,” said RDOS Chief Administrative Officer Jim Zaffino.
Zaffino said fire chiefs' operational knowledge and experience will be valuable in developing the review's scope.
Once the scope is finalized, the RDOS plans to issue a request for proposals to hire a qualified independent consultant. The consultant's recommendations will be presented to the Board for consideration.
The RDOS operates eight fire departments serving Anarchist Mountain, Apex, Kaleden, Keremeos, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Tulameen and Willowbrook. The district also has areas receiving fire protection through other arrangements, including contracted services.
The announcement invites input from all RDOS fire chiefs but does not specify whether contracted fire protection services and other arrangements will be included in the consultant's mandate. Those details are expected to become clearer as the scope is developed.
The review could provide the basis for future decisions affecting the administration, governance and delivery of fire protection across RDOS communities. The Board has not announced changes to existing fire protection services as part of its approval of the review.
The regional district has not disclosed a budget for the review, identified a consultant or announced a completion date. No schedule for public consultation was included in the October 15 announcement.
The RDOS said the recommendations and resulting Board policy are intended to support the long-term sustainability, effectiveness and consistency of its fire services.
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