ALLEY A CHO
Cranbrook-based ice carver Rusty Cox gave a demonstration at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort ski area on Saturday, February 27th as part of Fairmont’s Fire and Ice Festival. PHOTO BY DAVID WEBSTER
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Valley fire dispatch services moving to Kelowna BREANNE MASSEY breanne@invermerevalleyecho.com
public will see. “It’s a positive change. The Kelowna Fire Department is more advanced in technology so it’s definitely a positive change because that’s what they do fullA new fire dispatch services deal has been inked between the Regional District time,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue fire chief, Jim Miller. “Cranbrook was doing it before but, to keep doing it, they would have eventually of East Kootenay (RDEK) and the City of Kelowna. The Kelowna Fire Department will be providing support for the 16 fire depart- needed to do more upgrades. There was nothing wrong with the way it was taken care of, but it will relieve them of that duty and they can focus on their ments that are located in the RDEK starting on Monday, May 30th. “The City of Cranbrook advised the RDEK that they were choosing not to renew own fire issues as opposed to running a 911.” Ultimately, Miller believes the change will be positive for their contract for fire dispatch for operational reasons,” It’s a good move. It’s a both areas and has the potential to help improve fire prosaid Sanford Brown, manager, building and protective sercedures in the valley. vices at the RDEK. “We needed to find a new contractor positive one for sure. “It’s a good move,” he said, “it’s a positive one, for sure. with the skills, experience and technology to provide the There are dedicated personnel There are dedicated personnel for (fire dispatch in Kelowsame high level of service to our region and our fire de(in Kelowna) who are really na) who are really well-trained and dedicated, so for us, partments at the most affordable price. So our next step it’s a betterment.” was to send out a Request for Expressions of Interest after well-trained. JIM MILLER, FIRE CHIEF He noted the technology and their experience could bewhich a Request for Proposals was sent to those agencies COLUMBIA VALLEY RURAL FIRE AND RESCUE come an asset to the Columbia Valley. who expressed interest in providing the service.” “We are able to provide the new service within our existThere was a total of three proposals received when the request was issued, but none of them were submitted by locals, which encour- ing capacity,” said Travis Whiting, deputy fire chief of the City of Kelowna in a recent press release. “The selection of Kelowna Fire to dispatch for the RDEK is aged the RDEK to look at alternative options. “After evaluation by fire chiefs from around the region and RDEK staff, it was a reflection of the professional and efficient work of our dispatchers in support determined that the Kelowna Fire Department proposal would meet our needs of local first responders.” To learn more about the Kelowna Fire Department, visit www.Kelowna.ca/Fire. at a reasonable cost,” said Mr. Brown. However, there shouldn’t be any changes in the quality of service that the For more information about the RDEK, visit www.RDEK.bc.ca.
Valley Sessions Concert
Saturday March 5th at 7 pm What does ART mean to you?
Fresh Fridays
Youth Open Mic · Friday March 4th at 7 pm
Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.
Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!
1914 - 2014
Celebrating 100 years