The volunteer leader of the Okanagan Landing Fire Department says he still hasn't seen any valid reasons why the city is ending their contract in January. Todd Montgomery says a media release issued today by the city doesn't offer any new information in the dispute. "No, not at all. It's just repetitive of what we've already heard, but we do train together, we do have common operational guidelines. If we're not doing those things well enough already, then lets work together to do those things better," says Montgomery, president of the OKLFD volunteer association. Montgomery says they've gathered 1,200 signatures on their petition so far which at some point they will present to city council and ask them to revisit their in-camera decision in July to end the contract on January 31, 2013. "These are not valid reasons to end our contract. They're destroying a wonderful organization and model, and it's not going to be a budget savings, and you will have huge volunteer turnover." Vernon Fire Chief Keith Green says they expected some resistance to the integration plan, but fire and emergency service levels are not affected. "Everyone is acting professionally, and out of this can come combined training initiatives, modest reductions in costs, and a cohesive team, so that's what we're looking to accomplish here." Green says one of the 28 Landing volunteer has joined the Vernon volunteer association so far. "I hear stories about how many are coming or not coming and I'll let that play out by itself without guessing. We have a lot to offer those guys I believe." He says it may take until January 31st for the issue to play out. "That's when we are contractually obligated to the association, and we will honour that, and make appropriate changes after that." Green also points out the Landing and Predator Ridge (when constructed) fire halls will operate with paid-per-call volunteers until otherwise directed by council.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
City Sticks To Fire Integration Plan
Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 25 October 2012 14:20
The volunteer leader of the Okanagan Landing Fire Department says he still hasn't seen any valid reasons why the city is ending their contract in January. Todd Montgomery says a media release issued today by the city doesn't offer any new information in the dispute. "No, not at all. It's just repetitive of what we've already heard, but we do train together, we do have common operational guidelines. If we're not doing those things well enough already, then lets work together to do those things better," says Montgomery, president of the OKLFD volunteer association. Montgomery says they've gathered 1,200 signatures on their petition so far which at some point they will present to city council and ask them to revisit their in-camera decision in July to end the contract on January 31, 2013. "These are not valid reasons to end our contract. They're destroying a wonderful organization and model, and it's not going to be a budget savings, and you will have huge volunteer turnover." Vernon Fire Chief Keith Green says they expected some resistance to the integration plan, but fire and emergency service levels are not affected. "Everyone is acting professionally, and out of this can come combined training initiatives, modest reductions in costs, and a cohesive team, so that's what we're looking to accomplish here." Green says one of the 28 Landing volunteer has joined the Vernon volunteer association so far. "I hear stories about how many are coming or not coming and I'll let that play out by itself without guessing. We have a lot to offer those guys I believe." He says it may take until January 31st for the issue to play out. "That's when we are contractually obligated to the association, and we will honour that, and make appropriate changes after that." Green also points out the Landing and Predator Ridge (when constructed) fire halls will operate with paid-per-call volunteers until otherwise directed by council.
The volunteer leader of the Okanagan Landing Fire Department says he still hasn't seen any valid reasons why the city is ending their contract in January. Todd Montgomery says a media release issued today by the city doesn't offer any new information in the dispute. "No, not at all. It's just repetitive of what we've already heard, but we do train together, we do have common operational guidelines. If we're not doing those things well enough already, then lets work together to do those things better," says Montgomery, president of the OKLFD volunteer association. Montgomery says they've gathered 1,200 signatures on their petition so far which at some point they will present to city council and ask them to revisit their in-camera decision in July to end the contract on January 31, 2013. "These are not valid reasons to end our contract. They're destroying a wonderful organization and model, and it's not going to be a budget savings, and you will have huge volunteer turnover." Vernon Fire Chief Keith Green says they expected some resistance to the integration plan, but fire and emergency service levels are not affected. "Everyone is acting professionally, and out of this can come combined training initiatives, modest reductions in costs, and a cohesive team, so that's what we're looking to accomplish here." Green says one of the 28 Landing volunteer has joined the Vernon volunteer association so far. "I hear stories about how many are coming or not coming and I'll let that play out by itself without guessing. We have a lot to offer those guys I believe." He says it may take until January 31st for the issue to play out. "That's when we are contractually obligated to the association, and we will honour that, and make appropriate changes after that." Green also points out the Landing and Predator Ridge (when constructed) fire halls will operate with paid-per-call volunteers until otherwise directed by council.
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