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APR. 11, 2013 AY AT 250-734-4614 THURSDAY,
CALL LESLEY LIVINGSTONE-GR
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Science Matters Muzzling scientists an assault on democracy. PAGE 17 New play Nanaimo Theatre Group produces Les Belles Soeurs. PAGE B1 Junior T-men Winning process for lacrosse team starts now. PAGE 10
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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013
Council wants further work on fire report
I
SMALLER HALLS thought to help reduce costs. BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
A report looking into ways to meet increasing demand for emergency response services was referred back to city staff for review during Monday’s city council meeting. Since 2005, the city’s goal has been to have the first fire engine on an emergency scene within six minutes. To meet that goal and maintain sustainable costs, the report proposes building more small halls, staffed with two firefighters per shift, with additional equipment and firefighters moved into areas as risk of incidents rises throughout the day, such as during rush hour when motor vehicle accidents become more frequent in certain areas. Currently, halls are staffed with three to four firefighters per shift. Nanaimo Fire Rescue currently averages about 6,500 calls per year and annual demand continues to rise steadily with more than 9,000 anticipated annually by 2024.
The new model proposed in the repor t is based on changing requirements. Historically Nanaimo Fire Rescue dealt with structure fires, which now only account for 1.7 per cent of calls for service. Most structure fires occur in central Nanaimo and the downtown core areas. Because of older construction, fires in those areas are the most severe, cause the most damage and present the highest risk for injury or death. Across the city medical aid and motor vehicle accident calls account for well over 70 per cent of firefighter responses. The report was presented with the intent of having council receive and review the material and move on to consultation with firefighters, citizens, other emergency response agencies and other stakeholders, the results of which would be presented to council for further consideration in May. But in a five-tothree vote, the report was effectively rejected and referred back to city staff to give further consideration to comments councillors expressed at the meeting. ◆ See ‘COUNCILLORS’ /5
FREE
VOL. 24, NO. 147
Bouncing back
Hammond Bay Elementary School students Ethan Henderson, left, Ava Alexander, Noah Feschuk and Aysia Allen participate in a bounceball tournament at Aspengrove School on Tuesday morning. The sport was invented by an Aspengrove teacher and the school hosts a tournament every year. GREG SAKAKI/THE NEWS BULLETIN
High turnout expected to hear school district plan BY JENN M C GARRIGLE THE NEWS BULLETIN
A “far-reaching” report outlining recommendations from a consultant on what should be included in Nanaimo school district’s 10-year facilities plan will be
revealed during a public board meeting tonight (April 11). In January, the district hired Doug Player, a former superintendent of the West Vancouver School District, to help develop a facilities plan after the board approved
a strategic plan for the district. The strategic plan consists of three goals – meet each student’s needs; continuous improvement of instruction and assessment; and enhanced facilities for learning. The final
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goal requires development of a 10-year facilities plan by April that takes into account optimal school sizes at the elementary level of 200400 students and at the secondary level of 6001,000 students. ◆ See ‘PLAN’ /4