Surplus Equipment for disposal (Pumper Truck and Tanker Truck), closes February 5

https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/27856/2016%20Surplus%20Equipment%20Pumper%20and%20Tanker.pdf?handle=383FB9F04F714D82B1A71D02291EEE6C

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See also offer to exchange at
http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/2015/12/training-sessions-sought-in-exchange.html

Training sessions sought in exchange for unwanted fire truck

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 24, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Coldstream hopes to train its volunteer firefighters while disposing of an unwanted vehicle. The district hopes to receive four sessions at the Vernon Fire Training Centre in return for it turning over a 1988 International pumper to the facility. “We don’t want to end up with a truck in the yard doing nothing. It’s better to get something for it,” said Coun. Peter McClean. Each training session is worth about $1,200 but Coun. Glen Taylor isn’t convinced the fire truck is worth four sessions. “Make it a dozen sessions,” he said. While Taylor made that motion, he was unable to get sufficient support from his council colleagues. However, there is the possibility that the fire training centre won’t take Coldstream’s truck. Another jurisdiction has offered a vehicle that has more extensive equipment than Coldstream’s. “There’s a real risk they won’t accept our truck because of opportunities with the other truck,” said Trevor Seibel, chief administrative officer. If the fire training centre doesn’t take the pumper, Coldstream would look to sell the truck on the open market.

Training centre sparks debate

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 14, 2013 1:00 AM
The City of Armstrong is in favour of the City of Vernon fire training centre’s proposed $170,000 operating budget. It is, however, balking at the training centre policy board’s recommendations on what to do with a possible $160,000 operating surplus. Once the function of the Regional District of North Okanagan, the fire training centre management was taken over by the City of Vernon, and an operating budget approved by the policy committee which is made up of council representatives on the participating municipalities, which includes Armstrong and Spallumcheen. RDNO is anticipating a $160,000 operating surplus when it closes off on the function. “The intent was that this would be distributed to the participants,” said Armstrong administrator Patti Ferguson. “It’s the recommendation of the policy committee that the funds be allocated to the current function.” Vernon council endorsed the recommendations of the fire training policy board at its meeting March 21. Those recommendations included $100,000 in operating surplus be returned to the partners of the municipalities and regional district “with the intent to keep the funds in a reserve for future fire training centre costs.” The other recommendation was that $60,000 from the RDNO operating reserve be disbursed to the fire training centre for the new fire training capital reserve. Township of Spallumcheen council passed the recommendations from the City of Vernon but Armstrong has other ideas. “We would like correspondence be provided to RDNO that the City of Armstrong would support the dispersal of the full amount of the operating surplus,” said Ferguson, and gave Armstrong council two recommendations which they passed unanimously. The city wants $60,000 going directly to Vernon Fire Rescue Services to be placed in a new fire training centre capital reserve and the remainder goes to participants based on a 2012 requisition formula used for this function.  Spallumcheen Coun. Christine Fraser is the chairperson of the fire training centre policy board.
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Table of Possible Distribution of $160,000 Surplus.

• Agenda Package  P.73-77
• April 8 Vernon Council information on this proposal.

Firefighters watch as Vernon house burns down

Julia Wong, CHBC News : Sunday, March 17, 2013 4:40 PM 

Photo Credit: Julia Wong , CHBC News

Fire bursts through a window of a house on Dixon Dam Road in Vernon and smoke is billowing high into the sky, but even though there are between 16 and 20 firefighters from the BX Swan Lake Fire Department on scene, fire crews are not moving a muscle. Some firefighters watch the flames while others snap pictures of the blaze, but there is no need to worry because the incident has been set up as a training course for the fire crews.  The course is meant to better prepare crews when they are called to a real emergency. Fire chief Bill Wacey says that there is a fire training facility in the North Okanagan, however nothing beats practicing in a real house. “With all the ins and outs of constructions, it’s an older home so there’s different floors, there’s two to three different false ceilings in it, it allows us to go through the training in a safe manner,” Wacey said. BX Swan Lake firefighters have used the house to run through different scenarios they could face when confronting a blaze, such as firefighter exit strategies, a down firefighter, escape routes, fire suppression in attic crawl spaces and using thermal imaging cameras. Firefighters say practicing in a house instead of a facility gives the situations more realism, which ultimately gives them more confidence. “I’ve never been to a structure fire,” said Holly Haverkamp, who has only been with the fire department for one year. “This is a perfect experience for me. I’ll be ready to go if we ever get one.” “It’s not often that you get a chance to come to a house and just play out scenarios and od it in a drill fashion. Do it over and over and try to get good at them,” said David Dobernigg, who has been a firefighter for eight years. The house was donated to the fire department by Harold Schmidt, who, after the house is burned down completely, plans to re-build on the same property. “It can be used and people can learn and gain experiences in a burning house,” Schmidt said

Fire Training Centre Service Review

Fire Training Centre Service Review

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - 10:00 am

Download PDF (320Kb)

Fire Training:
The Fire Training Centre Function was established to provide a fire training facility and fire and safety training programs for Fire Departments within the Regional District of North Okanagan. Hands on training conducted at the "Live Fire" training facility provides the area fire departments valuable and realistic training and experience firefighters require to perform safely and efficiently at emergencies and fire scenes. Educational programs developed and delivered regionally ensures cost effective and efficient training is available to all fire service personnel in the Regional District.  The Fire Training Coordinator is a training resource for all fire departments within the Regional District of North Okanagan. The Fire Training Coordinator relies on the valuable contributions and support of area fire departments and member firefighters to ensure the ongoing delivery and success of Firefighter training programs and the FTC.

Click here to learn more about the Fire Training Centre

Fire training concerns flare up

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star  Published: February 12, 2011 12:00 PM

Vernon’s threat to abandon the North Okanagan Regional District’s fire training centre has Spallumcheen’s mayor concerned about the impact to the township.  Will Hansma told his council that such a move by Vernon could severely impact the way the township does business as a fire department. “We’ve always been supportive of the fire training centre,” said Hansma, a regional district director. “Our fire department has certainly benefitted from it, but we may have to consider other options. It’s a very valuable asset and I’d hate to see us lose it. Our fire department has been very well served by it.” Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department chief Ian Cummings agreed the training centre has been very useful.  “Starting with our recruiting new firefighters, when we bring them on they go through the training course, teach them fire ground activities, fire behaviour, teach them how to be firefighters at a basic level,” said Cummings. “When they get on to the fire department, they can go out on calls and do it safely. It’s quite an intensive course. If we were to lose that it would set us back many years.”  Vernon has stated it will withdraw from the service because of the costs involved and because some courses aren’t certified.  In 2010, Armstrong and Spallumcheen paid $5,614 and 8,643, respectively, in tax requisition for the fire training centre.
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Committee considered a waste By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 12, 2011 12:00 PM

Even though he could be doing other things with his time, Spallumcheen Coun. Dave Brew has agreed to sit on a review panel for the North Okanagan Regional District’s fire training centre.  Brew reluctantly accepted Mayor Will Hansma’s request to serve as the delegate.  “I enjoy the reviews but it’s a waste of time,” said Brew.  “Most of the panel sits on the (NORD) board, and it’s just another meeting for 60 per cent of board members. “To me, it’s a waste of my time. This could be done at the NORD board. There are two or three of us so-called independents. The rest will push forward anyway.” Hansma, a NORD director, believes the review is beneficial.  “I think it’s important to have independents sit in on the review committee,” said Hansma. “I value their point of view when we review their decisions.”

Fire training function studied

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: January 08, 2011 12:00 PM

A smouldering debate at the North Okanagan Regional District may be extinguished.  While the process to allow the City of Vernon to possibly leave the regional fire training centre service will continue, participants will also consider ways to keep the function intact.  “Perhaps we can address the concerns of the city,” said Jim Garlick, Coldstream director.  Among the reasons the city has issued an intent to withdraw from the function is the costs of the program and the fact that some of the courses being offered are not certified.  Jack Gilroy, a Vernon director, says the city has a training officer on staff at its fire department and $55,000 a year could be saved if it no longer participates in the regional training centre service.  “It’s a budget thing. It’s about money,” he said, adding, though, that he is willing to consider changes to the current service so the city can remain involved.  “It doesn’t hurt to talk.”  NORD staff will put together a report on the potential implications if the city does withdraw.  “We need a report on the differing scenarios and the impact on the remaining participants,” said Garlick.  A report from city administration about the fire training centre will also be presented to the regional board.  Patrick Nicol, a Vernon director, is urging all sides to work co-operatively and find some common ground.  “The withdrawal notice is real so the process we have initiated has to happen sooner than later. It can’t go on forever,” he said. “This issue impacts all of us so it should be a priority.” NORD staff expects to have a report before directors by early February.

Getting ready for gas leaks

North Okanagan Fire Training Centre is working with private industry as well as with local fire departments

Barry McDivitt, CHBC News: Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Photo Credit: Jim Douglas, CHBC News

For the first time in its 25 year history the North Okanagan Fire Training Centre is working with private industry as well as with local fire departments. Terasen Gas has contributed $10,000 to install natural gas lines and a specially designed fire pit at the centre.The company will send about 100 workers a year to the facility, where they will practice techniques for fighting fires and repairing ruptured gas lines.
When those workers return home they'll help train other Terasen employees. Terasen is the first company to send workers to the Fire Training Centre in Vernon, but others may follow.The centre is operated by the North Okanagan Regional District and is used by about a dozen professional and volunteer fire departments.

NORD Agenda Highlights Sept 1 4PM

Board of Directors

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 4:00 pm

Download PDF (7.71MB)

• 1. UBC Okanagan – BC Regional Innovation Chair in Water Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability P.20
  
• UBC Okanagan – BC Regional Innovation Chair in Water Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability Page 065
  
• 1. Bylaw 2443, 2010 – North Okanagan Fire Dispatch Service Establishment Amendment- Staff report dated August 13, 2010 RECOMMENDATION 8 Page 039(Unweighted Corporate Vote – Simple Majority) That fourth reading and adoption of North Okanagan Fire Dispatch Service Establishment Amendment Bylaw 2443, 2010, as passed by resolution at the August 4, 2010 Board of Directors meeting, be rescinded. And further, that an Agreement be expedited to affirm: The City of Vernon will continue to provide Fire Dispatch Services as in the past, up to and including December 31, 2010, based on the existing fee structure; The City of Vernon will forward an invoice prior to the end of 2010 for provision of 2010 North Okanagan Fire Dispatch Services; If the Regional District requires the City of Vernon to provide fire dispatch services beyond December 31, 2010, the City and Regional District will enter into a contract on a month-to-month basis; and A mutual indemnification will be provided.
• 5. Regional Transit Service - Staff report dated August 23, 2010 RECOMMENDATION 12 Page 063
• 14. Fire Training Centre – City of Vernon Billing - Staff report dated August 17, 2010
  RECOMMENDATION 26 Page 124 (Weighted Stakeholder Vote – Excludes Electoral Area “E”) That the report on Fire Training Centre – City of Vernon Billing dated August 17, 2010 be received for information.
• 15. Fire Training Centre – Future Service Delivery
  - Staff report dated June 25, 2010 RECOMMENDATION 27 Page 126
  (Weighted Stakeholder Vote – Excludes Electoral Area “E”) That the Fire Training Centre – Future Service Delivery Report dated June 25, 2010 be received and that the Board hereby confirm that the current delivery model complies with the service establishment bylaw and with the outcomes and direction of the service review and acknowledges the review and endorsement of the CAOs of the region and is therefore endorsed for future operations;
  And further, that in accordance with concerns raised by Chief Administrative Officers of the region, the Chief Financial Officer be requested to:
  1. Provide an alternate method of assigning Protective Services staffing to the Fire Training Centre.
  2. In future present the Fire Training Centre budget such that Core Services are shown as the base budget and that costs and revenues of other non-core programs be shown separately as a net amount.
  

Gilroy questions services

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 12, 2010 6:00 PM

There are demands that Vernon go it alone on two functions. Coun. Jack Gilroy told his colleagues Monday that the city should get out of the North Okanagan Regional District’s Jaws of Life and fire training centre programs. “We’ve been asked by NORD to come up with functions we want to get out of,” he said. “It doesn’t work well with NORD. There’s too much bureaucracy.” City firefighters use the training centre about 16 times a year, and Gilroy says Vernon would be better off to rent the facility instead of paying $100,000 a year into the service and then a user-fee on top of that. “Since NORD took it over, they have screwed it up,” he said. “Every time we send a body there, it costs money.”

However, the rest of council was not willing to consider leaving the functions until a staff review is conducted. “Before I make a decision, I’d like some analysis done on the costs and the potential consequences for taxpayers,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. Coun. Patrick Nicol defends the fire training centre and believes the city should remain involved directly. “It’s been a real asset as established by the city,” he said. Nicol suggests Gilroy’s actions are linked to an ongoing dispute between Vernon and NORD over fire dispatch. “This is a knee-jerk reaction to recent events and that is a bad way to do policy,” he said.