WHITE LAKE WILDFIRE Fire danger rating continues to be high See page 13
TRAIL AMENITIES VANDALIZED
AQUIFER UNDER INVESTIGATION
Rest areas damaged along trail See page 5
Residents and developers meet with RDOS board See pages 3, 4
E H T www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Vol.15 Number 39
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including HST
Migrant workers reverse cross border shopping trend By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Photo contributed
The 100th year anniversary of the Hedley Fire Department was held on Labour Day. Above, the department stages a demonstration using several hose crews to create a rainbow.
Preparations are underway for a Thanksgiving dinner for all the migrant workers from Mexico in the Similkameen. At this time, organizers are in need of some donated suitcases. It seems that the Mexican workers in our region practice “cross border shopping” - in a way that benefits local business for a change. The Mexican farm labourers arrive in the spring with their belongings in a small bag, but since they are allowed to take some things back to their country, they tend to accumulate a few items prior to their return to Mexico at the end of the growing season. If you have a suitcase suitable for donaton, please call Sandy Diaz - Hart at: 250 499 9564. She can make arrangements to pick up your suitcases, or have them delivered to Cheers church on Main Street, Penticton during Spanish classes.
Hedley Fire Department celebrates 100 years of service By Graham Gore, Hedley VFD The Hedley Fire Department held a celebration of their 100 year anniversary, starting with an apparatus demonstration, and a “water ballet” spraying water against a beautiful blue sky, creating rainbows against that spectacular backdrop. It was explained to spectators why we did things in such a way, why we wore turnout gear and self contained breathing apparatus and how the pump hoses and nozzles operated. A well attended open house with a historical display as well as all of the current apparatus, allowed people
to view the equipment, ask questions as to how they work, and see the contrast between firefighting today and 100 years ago. Almost 100 hotdogs were served, for a donation, dropped in a firefighter’s boot. Children as well as some older folk were entertained by being able to put out a “structure fire” using forest fire equipment, emulating in a very small way what a regular structure fire would be like. This celebration was held in place of Fire Prevention Week as home and fire safety were one of the themes of the day. The Hedley Fire Department now has a full roster of
20 with an average of 14 at each practice. This includes two junior firefighters, one of whom will graduate next year to become a regular firefighter. We hold regular practices on Tuesdays and optional practices on Saturdays so that people who miss regular practice can catch up, as well as those on probation can get more experience. We have been holding “cross training” exercises with the Keremeos Fire Department in areas such as roof venting and water transfer. We have also trained with the Princeton Fire Department. This is invaluable practice to expose our members to advanced instruction and experience practical training.