A map of the Lower Nicola area affected by the suspension of fire protection services.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says it is looking at its options at the moment, but concedes its hands are somewhat tied right now when it comes to restoring fire protection services in the Lower Nicola area near Merritt.
Thursday evening, the TNRD said fire protection services for people in 634 properties that were provided through a contract with the Lower Nicola Indian Band are being suspended.
“At this time, it has been determined that the LNIB Fire Department does not have the capacity to respond to fire calls outside of their own community,” the TNRD said, in a statement Thursday.
Deputy General Manager of Operations, Jamie Vieira, says they they have been in-contact with the Lower Nicola Indian Band, telling them the TNRD is ready to restore their contract with them – as soon as their service levels can support the broader coverage.
“I just want to reiterate, it is not a claw back in the sense that we are trying to save any money,” he said. “The money is there ready to enter into a contract once they are operationally ready to respond.”
Speaking on the NL Noon Report, Vieira says its unclear when that could happen, noting they’re now looking at various ways to try to fix this issue.
“One of the options would be to create a TNRD-run fire department in this area, which 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,” he said.
“That is a year or two long process.”
He also notes transplanting fire fighters from other areas really isn’t an option either.
“Most of our volunteer fire departments, if not all of them, struggle with capacity, so it be stealing from one and leaving one short,” he said.
People are still being told to call 9-1-1 in an emergency as the TNRD says paramedics and police will still respond to the area. The BC Wildfire Service will also respond to any wildfires that may break out this summer.
Those with questions are being told to contact the TNRD by phone at 250-377-8673 or by email.
