
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says it has partnered with the City of Merritt to provide fire protection services to some people in the Lower Nicola area.
In a statement, it says starting Monday, July 4, Merritt firefighters will respond to calls from 482 properties in Lower Nicola and Miller Estates that lost coverage last week.
These property owners will be notified by mail, and they’re being told to report the change to their home insurance provider.
A total of 634 properties lost fire coverage which was previously provided through a contract with the Lower Nicola Indian Band. The TNRD says people in the 152 properties in Sunshine Valley, Canford, and other nearby areas not covered by this interim agreement will be issued a partial tax refund.
“Due to distance from their fire hall, this is the maximum coverage area Merritt Fire Rescue is able to provide at this time,” TNRD Manager of Fire Protection Services Jason Tomlin said. “We recognize that a portion of TNRD properties that were previously provided fire protection are not included in this coverage area.”
“We are grateful for the support of the City of Merritt and Merritt Fire Rescue to help us restore partial fire coverage as quickly as possible.”
This interim agreement will be in place until the end of this year, with discussion ongoing with both the City of Merritt and the Lower Nicola Indian Band regarding the future.
The TNRD also says it is assessing long-term options for fire protection services in the Lower Nicola area, including assessing the feasibility of a TNRD-administered fire hall for the Lower Nicola area.
Speaking on the NL Noon Report last week, TNRD Deputy GM of Operations, Jamie Vieira says a TNRD-run fire department would not happen in short order.
“That is a year or two long process,” he said. “[It] is definitely something that will be an option we are putting to the community, but we can’t build a hall and get a fire truck and train firefighters in a short time window.
Residents with questions about this fire coverage area are being told to go here.