Preliminary votes show Apex Mountain getting full fire protection services

It looks like Apex Mountain will be getting its own fire protection services.

Preliminary votes have been counted, and the majority of votes (228) are in favour of bringing fire services to Apex.

On Saturday, March 27, residents of Apex were asked to vote on whether they supported authorizing the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) to establish a service for the provision of fire protection and borrow up to $3 million in funds to purchase a fire truck, equipment, and acquire land to construct a fire hall.

The project was proposed when the Apex Fire Brigade formally approached the RDOS to create a regional district fire protection service, to be administered in the same way as existing Regional District fire departments. The fire brigade didn’t feel it had adequate equipment or services to handle any major fires there.

On Sunday, the RDOS said voting results were in, with 228 in favour and 37 opposed.

John Davis took to Facebook on March 25, sharing pictures and his heartfelt reason why he wanted Apex residents to vote yes to a regional district fire department.

“Saddleback Lodge, the much-loved home of the Davis family, burned to the ground in a devastating fire at Apex Mountain Resort on November 23, 2010,” wrote Davis.

The Apex Volunteer Fire Brigade was unable to save the iconic home and popular bed and breakfast ( having welcomed over 11,000 guests over the years). Battling -30 degree Celsius temperatures and working with limited fire fighting equipment, the brigade successfully protected the neighbouring duplex and possibly Sundance Lodge from suffering the same fate. Three families in the adjoining Saddleback condos did lose their ski homes in this tragic fire, he said.

“This event could have had a very different outcome if we had a funded fire department. Please vote YES, not just for your family but for your entire community. Vote YES with your heart, we need to take care of each other and protect this very special place. This is ours.”