Penticton fire dispatch move to Kelowna confirmed

By JOHN MOORHOUSE  Tuesday, September 20, 2011
 Kelowna city council Monday ratified a five-year agreement to provide fire dispatch services for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.  That has the union representing the five affected dispatchers with the Penticton fire department now trying to help them find new jobs.  Mike Richards, president of Penticton local 1399 of the International Association of Firefighters, said Monday the union is working with the city to develop an “adjustment plan” for the dispatchers.  “Part of that process is to try to re-job them somewhere within the city, with what‘s (employment opportunities) available,” he said.  It‘s also hoped some of the dispatchers might be hired by Kelowna before it takes over RDOS dispatch services in December.  Kelowna deputy fire chief Jason Brolund said Monday the contract calls for Kelowna to hire two more dispatchers to handle the increased workload of about 4,700 additional emergency calls per year.  He said Penticton dispatchers will be allowed to apply for the two new positions, expected to be filled by December.  Brolund said the additional staff will allow the Kelowna fire department to have two dispatchers on duty per shift, 24 hours a day. Currently only one member serves overnight.  The Kelowna dispatch centre also provides service for the entire Central Okanagan Regional District and currently has eight dispatchers.  Brolund said the existing radio system will remain in place. There are also plans to use a new Radio Over Internet Protocol (ROIP) program to link Kelowna dispatch with Penticton with a telephone backup system.  The cost of any technical upgrades has still to be determined, Brolund said.   The RDOS contract with Kelowna calls for annual payments ranging from $200,900 in 2012 to $221,757 in 2016. Penticton had submitted the highest of four tenders for the dispatch contract with a bid of $2,865,000 over five years.  However, Richards said Penticton taxpayers could still face additional costs for non-emergency services currently provided by local dispatchers. Some technical upgrades are also required in Penticton.  Richards said the Penticton firefighters union still has concerns over the effectiveness of a dispatch service based in Kelowna. “This is a real life emergency service that they‘re consolidating,” he said. “The reality is somebody is going to get hurt or somebody is going to lose properties. Something is going to happen because of this whole changeover.”  “The next concern is for the safety of the taxpayers and the safety of the firefighters who respond to their emergencies,” he said.  Richards said the two additional dispatchers will not allow for coverage during holidays and when a dispatcher calls in sick. There will be times, therefore, when only one dispatcher is on duty.  He added the ROIP system is not yet proven effective and fears the Kelowna dispatch centre may have to rely more on telephone links.  Richards also questioned some media reports which incorrectly stated that Penticton dispatchers get paid $100,000 including benefits. He noted the top base salary for dispatchers with 10 years‘ experience is about $68,000.  The Penticton situation differs from Vernon, where the city opted out of the North Okanagan Regional District service.  Vernon fire Chief Keith Green said Monday the city now provides its own fire dispatch service, after NORD decided last year to sign a three-year contract for dispatch services based out of Chilliwack. 
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South OK 911 fire calls moving to Kel

by Wayne Moore - Castanet Sep 20, 2011 / 10:35 am

The Kelowna Fire Department is set to take over 911 fire dispatch services for the entire South Okanagan and Similkameen.  Kelowna Council Monday authorized the city to enter into a five-year contract agreement with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen to provide dispatch services. The RDOS awarded the contract to Kelowna back in June after the city came in with the lowest of four bids received.  The Kelowna bid came in at just over $1M over the life of the five year contract. "This is a very good contract for all citizens that are served by our dispatch centre, the City of Kelowna, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Okanagan Similkameen," Kelowna Fire Chief, Jeff Carlisle told council.  "There will be enhancements and a level of service provided to everybody who dials 911 and requests fire. It is a very good move for all the constituents involved with this." Councillor Robert Hobson says the agreement will provide significant benefits for the people of the Okanagan Similkameen. "The facts speak for themselves. I wanted to state publicly we are confident with this budget that we can provide the services necessary without any addition burden to the City of Kelowna." Dispatch service will be transferred to Kelowna beginning December 15. Carlisle says two new communication dispatchers will be hired.  Under Kelowna's bid, the RDOS will save nearly $1.8 million over the life of the contract. City of Penticton dispatchers have provided regional dispatch service since 1990.