Call For Predator Ridge Fire Service

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 21 September 2010 09:43 107.5 KISSFM

Predator Ridge is a growing area of Vernon and the time has come for it to have its own volunteer fire service. That was the message from Fire Rescue and resort officials at a news conference Monday. Holly Wood from the Sparking Hill Resort says with 400 employees in the area at peak times (300 golf resort and 100 Sparkling) , and 500 homes, fire protection is needed. "There's a lot of people up here, and as this community grows to its full potential, we need this kind of support from the town, so this is a win win for everybody." Vernon deputy fire chief Lawrie Skolrood says they want to recruit Predator residents for a 16 member volunteer department. "That's a big part of this event, to develop some interest in the volunteer aspect of our fire service." Skolrood says the resort could be in danger if there's a wildfire. He says the department has also responded to "a couple of kitchen fires" at the resort. Skolrood says the current response time from the city to the resort is 18 minutes. Brent Ree from Predator Ridge says a site has been set aside for a firehall. "It's just on the way down from the Predator Ridge entrance, where the maintenance area is, so we feel that's a good location because it has good visibility from the road and it's easily accessible."

Fire Rescue will be conducting a recruitment and information program at the resort from now until October 3rd. City councillor Jack Gilroy says action is needed with Sparkling Hill, 500 homes at Predator, and approval to build 1,600 more. "The investment, the people that are moving up here, we have to protect them. That's why this is going ahead." Gilroy was asked about the funding for the firehall set to open in 2012. "There will be money. It costs money to build a firehall. It's all a budget thing so there's a lot of talks going on." Gilroy says the resort properties won't have to pay extra for the service. "They're already helping with the taxes they pay. They're paying tremendous taxes." Gilroy--who is a former deputy fire chief-- says as the city grows, the fire department has to grow as well.

Photo: Vernon councillor Jack Gilroy (left), Holly Wood from Sparkling Hill Resort and Brent Ree from Predator Ridge pose near fire rescue truck at news conference at Sparkling Hill (P.McIntyre)