The Regional District of Nanaimo will take over operational management of the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department.
The RDN announced on Wednesday, Aug. 25 the management will transition the from the Nanoose Fire Protection Society.
“Faced with growing liabilities and risks associated with the operation of fire departments by society boards, the NFPS made the difficult decision to cease operational management of the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department,” read a release from the regional district. “The fire and emergency response services provided to residents living in Electoral Area E, in the Englishman River subdivision in Electoral Area F and in the River’s Edge subdivision in Area G will not change because of this transition. Residents will continue to receive an exceptional level of fire and emergency services from the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department. Residents will continue to receive an exceptional level of fire and emergency services from the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department.”
In 2019, the RDN commenced a fire service governance and administration review to address the regulatory requirements of the district and outline recommendations for how it should structure and manage its responsibility for the delivery of fire services. The Nanoose Fire Protection Society board of directors played an instrumental role in the development of the governance review report by highlighting the risks associated with the operation of fire departments.
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“The collaborative effort between the Nanoose Fire Protection Society and the RDN over the past seven weeks has ensured a smooth transition of operational management,” said Tyler Brown, RDN chair. “We greatly appreciate their dedication to the delivery of fire services and all the work done by the society’s board of directors over the course of its 49-year history.”
The RDN will manage the fire service governance and administration of the NVFD, including legislative requirements, compliance with training standards, budgeting, purchasing, volunteer management, records management, policies, guidelines and procedures to the volunteer firefighters.
“The RDN expresses its gratitude and thanks to the NFPS, its recent and past volunteer society directors and the volunteer firefighters who help keep our community safe,” said Bob Rogers, Electoral Area E director. “We appreciate their dedication and continued efforts to improve the services they provide, and we look forward to supporting the important work they do.”
To thank the NFPS board of directors for their leadership and commitment to emergency services, a small recognition lunch was hosted at the Nanoose Bay firehall earlier this month.
There are 10 fire protection service areas created by the RDN, four of these services are provided under contract by other local governments while the remaining six are operated by independent societies under contract to the RDN. For information on fire services within the RDN, visit rdn.bc.ca/fire-services.
