Comox Fire Rescue will continue to provide fire protection services for the K’ómoks First Nation.
At the Comox council meeting on Nov. 25, council approved a five-year renewal to a service agreement retroactive from Jan. 1, 2020.
The department has provided fire protection services to the K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) and KFN Real Estate LP (the corporation that owns and manages the Queneesh Mobile Home Park) under separate agreements since 1977. According to a report from Shelly Russwurm, the town’s director of corporate services, Comox Fire Rescue responds to approximately 30 calls per year under the existing agreements.
The agreements have been drafted in consultation with KFN staff who are supportive of the terms.
The costs in the agreements have increased in 2020 by six per cent to reflect the increased cost of providing fire service. According to Russwurm’s report, beginning in 2021, fees will be shifted partially away from residential homes and onto non-residential buildings in order to more accurately reflect market rates and the higher costs of fighting fires within more complex buildings.
The total costs to KFN and KFN Real Estate LP will increase over the five-year term from approximately $19,000 in 2020 to $27,000 in 20204.
Coun. Nicole Minions inquired if the six perfect increase in 2020 relatively reflects the cost of service going up in the town; Jordan Wall, the town’s CAO confirmed it does.
The agreement was passed unanimously.
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