Chief Gives High Marks for New Fire Model

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 26 March 2013 06:00  
Vernon's fire chief says there's been some challenges, but overall, he would give the integration of fire services an 'A' grade so far.  Keith Green gave city council an update on the move to merge Okanagan Landing and downtown services two months ago. He says it allows the fire fighters to train together, and take on different duties, such as the recent fire in East Hill. "Those guys that just live outside the Fulton area that would never have been able to respond to that incident because it wasn't in their zone, now get a opportunity to go pull down sawdust insulation and they're covered in foam, and they're excited. The people that own the house obviously aren't, but our job is to go put the fire out and our guys did a great job." Green says the new model has been given a good test with the East Hill fire, plus the one at the recycling facility and one near Alexis Park. Green told council, the single command structure and common training have reduced fire ground inconsistencies, miscommunication and operational misunderstandings. "It just highlights the fact that when you work together, it's great for the community." He says of the 13 Landing volunteers who wanted to join Vernon, 10 are active, and three are off for medical or personal reasons. Green says the 35 volunteer firefighters have been assigned to four tiers to organize response from Station 2 in the Landing, and assist response from Station 1 downtown.