TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
IL
TH
NEWS
TRA
IL
S I N C E
1 8 9 5
DA
S
CREEK NEW
ES
IL
TR A E
TH
Follow us online
1895 - 2015
IM ES
TRAIL T
INCLUDING G.S.T.
Rossland artist showcased in coin series
TIM
1
05
TRA
Y IL
Vol. 120, Issue 136
$
E
Page 2
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Genelle firehall needs new volunteers now: district chief BY VALERIE ROSSI
might generate more interest,” he said. Genelle's volunteer firehall is strugUltimately the change will ensure gling to recruit new people and new safety. WorkSafe BC regulations and training expectations has its district new legislative requirements in the chief worried potential volunteers will “playbook” emphasize the need for be further put off. fully trained firefighters and the liabilMark Krastel, district fire chief for ity attached for not having members Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire trained properly. This is what the East Rescue's Co. 3, said notices have been End Services Committee reviewed posted to the Genelle community before setting the level of service board and even via mailouts but the expected of regional fire rescue. response is at an all time low. “You have to be so careful with There are 10 paid on-call firefight- what jobs you task your members with ers, which does not when you're at an incimeet the 15-member dent and if they're not “Not only do you expectation to run an trained for that task and operational firehall. they get hurt, it's not need members but He'd like to see numfair for the member and you need members bers reach 20 to allow it's not fair to the orgawho are willingly some cushion when it nization,” said Martin. comes to scheduling. Regional fire rescue's participating and “Not only do you new training requirehopefully able to need members but you ments place a strong come to calls when need members who are focus on getting not willingly participating only its career firefightyou need them.” and hopefully able to ers but paid on callMARK KRASTEL come to calls when you ers up to a level to be need them,” he said. officially recognized as “But that's a crapshoot because on the a full-service operations fire departweekday here, there is only two who ment. don't work Monday to Friday.” A fire service review completed by Terry Martin, regional fire chief, Dave Mitchell and Associates recomsaid recruitment at times has been a mended instituting a training officer challenge for all of the region's volun- to bring members up to an NFPA teer fire halls, which include Rossland, 1001 Level 2. This qualification builds Warfield, Genelle, Trail, Montrose and on the basic training and equips the Fruitvale. But he assures that the student to function as an integral regional approach allows halls like member of a team within the required Genelle to pick members up when supervision level required on the fire coverage is needed. ground. As well as further knowledge “The firehall will remain, I don't and skills of structural firefighting, want anyone to think that it would the course expectation also provides go away, because it's supported by the awareness for basic vehicle extrication career staff in Trail and Company No. and rescue techniques. 2, Warfield,” he said. “We'll never not Details on what this really will look send a proper response to any kind of like locally are dependant on the new incident.” training officer, who clocks in Sept. Martin suggests suggests the fire 14. department might actually see higher Genelle members were busy with retention levels and more newcomers pre-fire planning during last regular with this new level of professionalism practice. The exercise had members brought to its volunteer halls. surveying properties, searching for “A lot of folks are not willing to the nearest hydrant, noting what varimake that commitment right now ous buildings were made out of and but if we make it more intriguing we See NUMBER, Page 2 Times Staff
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Miguel Legere of Bogie & Bacall Hair Design may be casting her vote early at the election office in Trail. The facility’s team is ready to help electors revise their information, cast a special vote or accept an employee application for those interested in working polling sites come election day.
Election office open for business BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
A few brightly coloured yellow signs are posted outside Waneta Plaza, marking the destination as Trail’s federal election office. And though the doors opened as soon as the campaign kicked off, residents may not realize the Additional Assistant Returning Office has been open for business since Aug. 4. Bonnie Braithwaite is one of the local faces behind the counter. She’s working as an AARO (additional assistant returning officer), a position she’s held for the past three federal elections she’s worked in her 20 years involved. “I just like the process of making sure that people vote, and that’s why we’re here— we want to give everybody an opportunity,” she said. The sub-office works toward revising voter information for those living in this end of the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding, which includes Nakusp down through to
First day of school is September 8! YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO SAVE AT WANETA PLAZA!
Slocan and then from Castlegar to Fruitvale and all the places in between. The facility is also set up for voting right now with both revisions and special ballots accepted until 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Special ballots can be filled out at the office at the mall but voters who choose this option will have to fill in who their voting for on a blank ballot until candidate nominations close Sept. 28. “Special ballots has always been an option with Elections Canada,” said Braithwaite. “From the time the office opens, you can come in and vote.” She’s counted about 20 people so far who’ve taken advantage of the early opportunity, adding that it’s mostly students who are getting ready to leave their hometown for studies or locals who like to travel south during the colder months. Making a vote count can also be done via mail, during official advance voting days (Oct. 9, 10, 11 and 12) or on election day, Oct. 19. See OFFICE, Page 16
Late Night Shopping
Thurs. & Fri. to 9pm Free kids playroom and ball pit
www.wanetaplaza.com
5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012