By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 26, 2013 12:00 PM
A new arrangement should improve safety for residents of the Okanagan Indian Reserve. The City of Vernon will begin providing fire dispatch
services to the Okanagan Indian Band. Once technical upgrades are
completed in the fall, this will mean anyone on reserve land will be
able to report fires through 911. “We at the Okanagan Indian Band are very pleased with
this new agreement with the City of Vernon and Vernon Fire Rescue
Services and the enhanced safety and protection that will come from it
for our band members and community residents,” said Byron Louis, band
chief. The fire department’s dispatch centre uses computer
assisted dispatching software, radio communications and voice recording
software. When the 911 calls are transferred, dispatchers process
and initiate the response and provide ongoing dispatch support for the
duration of the emergency. “Our fire dispatch centre was designed to provide
modern service within the city and to clients in the area. This
agreement reflects the city’s interest to support common regional communications during emergencies,” said Mary-Jo O’Keefe, a Vernon
councillor. A signing ceremony will be held between the band and the city Sept. 3.
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Vernon Fire Rescue Services and Okanagan Indian Band Sign Fire Dispatch Agreement September 3, 2013
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