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Regional district rejects mutual aid |
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Written by SCOTT STANFIELD
Citizen staff
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
The Fraser-Fort George Regional District board voted Thursday against the idea of a region-wide mutual aid agreement among fire departments.
The vote was in line with skepticism expressed last month when the board deferred consideration of such an agreement to allow district staff to address a number of concerns. One was liability, in terms of depleted staffing levels and equipment within a service area, in the event a volunteer fire department assists another area. The district obtained a legal opinion regarding the situation and were advised that a court of law would be reluctant to criticize a decision to enter into a mutual aid arrangement.
Fire protection standards dictate that as long as minimal levels of equipment are maintained -- four firefighters, one engine and a sufficient amount of water -- then additional apparatus and equipment may be utilized in a mutual aid response.
Despite the rationale, Area D director Bob Headrick thinks the idea resembles a "piece of Swiss cheese," largely because of the potential for depleted squads and damaged firefighting equipment.
"It worries the hell out of me," said Headrick, adding the Tabor Lake-Stone Creek area is "scratching" for volunteer firefighters. "I don't like that and I'm not sure if the taxpayers will like that."
Headrick notes Prince George and Mackenzie have indicated they would not benefit by opting into a mutual aid agreement.
"I think we're going in a direction we don't need to go," he said.
Headrick's concerns were echoed by Area G director Terry Burgess and board chair/Area E director Art Kaehn, who worry about proximity and firefighter numbers.
Harvey Clark (Chilako River-Nechako) and Denis Gendron (Salmon River & Lakes) were the only directors in favour of drafting a mutual aid agreement for the region. Gendron finds the concept "comforting," noting his area has experienced mutual aid.
Clark has said the concept proved itself last year at Ness Lake when five departments responded to a large house fire that broke out mid-week.
District staff suggested mutual aid could instead exist from area-to-area as opposed to region-wide.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 May 2008 )
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