Fired Up.

Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 SUN FM

"A frenzy of hatred" - that's how one Okanagan Landing resident described what's going on regarding the battle over fire protection. Emotions ran high as more than 150 people attended last night's public meeting regarding the future of fire protection in Vernon. People spoke both for and against the plan to put union firefighters in the Okanagan Landing Volunteer Hall. Some residents suggested the money would be better spent on improving roads, building escape routes for interface neighbourhoods and setting up satellite firehalls in outlying areas. Others urged city council to slow down the process.

Isabel Fertado, the President of the Canadian Lakeview Community Association, supports the plan and says she speaks for the 219 families in the subdivision. Vernon's Fire Chief, Jeff Carlisle says he stands by the business plan. Carlisle says there is a lot of mis-information out there. Lippert says the plan could be back before council later this month. Lippert says he has not made up his mind regarding the proposal.

----------------------

Peter McIntyre Friday, 08 May 2009 107.5 KISSFM Big Crowd For Fire Meeting

There were a lot of people, and a lot of emotion, as the public gave input on the city's controversial plan for fire service last night. Close to 150 were on hand for the session, and 40 spoke, with about half in favour and half opposed to adding paid firefighters in Okanagan Landing. Landing resident Pat Lett feels there aren't enough fires to warrant the costs. He says there were only three structure fires in the Landing last year, and wonders about spending 600 thousand dollars for that.

Isabele Furtado, the president of the Canadian Lakeview Estates Community Association says their 219 homeowners support the plan. She says a volunteer department's logistically unable to provide adequate response times and consequently protection for areas like where she lives. Landing resident Jerry Bifano supports the idea of adding paid firefighters in the Landing. "Volunteers have served a very important role here and in smaller communities and I applaud them. However, we are a larger community and they simply can't respond as quickly and efficiently as professional firefighters at a hall 24-7, ready to go, when a call comes in."

Landing resident Rose Pollack says there's nothing wrong with the volunteers. "Until I came here tonight, I didn't realize just how my life has been in danger for the last 40 years, living where I do without the support of the city fire department. This is brand new news to us."

Mayor Wayne Lippert says he hasn't made up his mind on which way to go yet, and suggests a referendum could be one option. He says council could discuss the input and the fate of the plan as early as its May 25 meeting