Recently in my capacity of branch editor for the Okanagan Historical Society, I attended our semi-annual general meeting. I was there principally to give a report on what I had done throughout the year and plead for more manuscripts from our members.
Deputy chief Skolrood gave a verbal report on the history of the Vernon Fire Department from 1891 to the present.
Although it was all interesting, the last five years really resonated with me.
We have grown from one hall in 2010 to three by the end of 2014. Two of these halls are essentially unstaffed. As of yesterday, we had a chief, two deputies, a training captain, at least four dispatchers, a mechanic and 24 to 25 full-time firefighters.
There are also a variable number of paid on-call firefighters. When I asked the deputy chief how much a full-time firefighters’ wages and benefits were, he said he didn’t know but thought they started at around $55,000 per anum. His response struck me as odd for two reasons. First, it is unusual that an administrator does not know almost exactly what workers’ costs are, and the fact that $55,000 seemed low for workers in a dangerous and highly specialized job.
It came to me on the way home that there are a lot of other questions that taxpayers don’t ask or don’t get answers to.
On reflection more questions came to mind. I would like to put them publicly, so before the next round of referenda, we know how much our true mandatory costs are.
In respect to the fire department:
How much exactly is a full-time firefighter’s mid-range wage and benefit package?
What is a paid on-call firefighter? How is this different from a volunteer? Do they get preference in respect to full-time positions?
What would it cost Okanagan Landing/ Vernon residents for the same level of service as Vernon is this was done by staffing the Okanagan Landing hall.
How will you staff Predator Ridge? Do you have any plans for Canadian Lakeview Estates?
How much are administrative costs as a percentage of workers’ remuneration?
How much of your time is spent on large structural fires as opposed to health emergencies, car accidents and wildfires?
In respect to policing;
How much does the average member cost in wages and benefits? How much are overtime costs?
How does this compare to municipal forces?
What is the actual cost to Vernon for administration, and rolling stock?
How many members are we billed for? How many are actually working a shift?
Do the RCMP members that Vernon pays for work exclusively in Vernon?
How many bylaw officers does Vernon have? What are their wages and benefits mid-range?
Do meter fees and tickets pay for bylaw officers?
What was the average rise in municipal workers’ salaries over the last 10 years? What were the tax increases over the same period of time?
By the way, I started writing this before I read about my neighbour’s death Nov. 9. Our condolences, and also to all of the Sunset Properties community.
An idea, perhaps if we shifted things around a bit, and paid the province a little bit, we could get a paramedic crew stationed out here in our disused fire hall. They are good digs I’ve seen it personally.
If I come across as curmudgeonly, it is because many of us that live in Vernon are economically flat-liners. We live on fixed incomes that are eroded constantly by inflation.
Because of this, we have to be prudent in respect to voting and know the true costs.
Bill Dunsmore
Vernon
