Decision on dispatch service delayed

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 08, 2010 6:00 PM

The fate of fire dispatch continues to smoulder. On Wednesday, North Okanagan Regional District directors tabled a staff recommendation that the Fraser Valley Regional District be hired to provide fire dispatch services in communities outside of Vernon. “Our fire chiefs and chief administrative officers haven’t reviewed what’s on the table,” said Will Hansma, Spallumcheen director. “I’m not comfortable going any further until I’ve had discussions with our CAO, chief financial officer and the fire chief.” Once administrators and fire chiefs in all participating communities have reviewed the issue, the board will then decide how to proceed.

NORD issued a request for proposals for the service after the City of Vernon announced it was leaving the regional function so it could focus on infrastructure enhancements required in its community. Eight potential service providers, including Vernon, were approached, but only four bids were received. Vernon did not submit a formal proposal, but indicated it was willing to provide the service as it currently does under contract for the regional function. Wayne Lippert, Vernon director, told his colleagues Wednesday that the city is willing to provide service levels at the same rate, and that it could be less once actual costs are known. “The offer is still on the table,” he said. However, NORD staff and some politicians expressed concern that the board would enter into negotiations with Vernon after a request for proposals and a preferred contractor had been recommended. “The RFP process must be followed and it’s a legal process we must follow,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director.

A staff report states that a Fraser Valley dispatch service would result in savings of about $46,000 annually compared to the current budget and $83,688 compared to the Vernon model. “I’d rather the function was local but I trust staff when they say Fraser Valley can provide the service as good as it can be done locally and for less money,” said John Trainor, Armstrong director. Hansma believes financial savings should only be one part of the equation considered. “I’d rather support people in the North Okanagan for the economic stability of our region,” he said.