Unionized firefighters will not be stationed in Okanagan Landing.
Vernon council has denied a request from the Lakeview Estates Community Association to have full-time firefighters at the Landing hall as a way of enhancing response times to the end of Tronson Road.
“The response times are within the parameters of the chief so why would we put paid staff out there?” said Coun. Bob Spiers.
“It would be a heck of a cost with no additional safety.”
Okanagan Landing’s fire hall is currently used by volunteer firefighters but LECA wants it staffed with two paid, on-duty firefighters per shift.
The Vernon Fire Department follows industry standards for responding to emergencies.
“The current location of station two (Landing) is 10.8 kilometres from the further property in Canadian Lakeview,” said chief Keith Green in a report.
“Based on response time data for the first quarter of 2013, response guidelines are feasible from the current location of station two.”
Besides volunteers at the Landing hall, there is also response from paid firefighters at the downtown Vernon hall.
Some at city hall are also questioning whether response times are a broad issue at Canadian Lakeview Estates.
“Some of the residents don’t agree with the model presented (by LECA),” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.
