TNRD hoping to work with Merritt to cover fire protection shortages

“We have been trying to fill our manpower and it’s been a bit challenging. It is a work in progress. It doesn’t surprise me that they would cease certain obligations because we just don’t have the manpower to do it,” said Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief Stu Jackson.

Residents in the area are concerned about the possibility of being without protection for an extended period, especially after last years the threats of wildfires last year, but feel is time for the department to return to it roots to recruit.

“I would suggest campaigning for volunteers,” said one local resident. “That’s how the original Lower Nicola fire hall got started years ago.”

The quickest solution would be the Regional District entering into a new deal with the City of Merritt as it is the closest municipality to the affected area.

“We don’t have an agreement to provide fire service out to that area at this time. If the TNRD wants to have that conversation with us, we are certainly willing to listen and talk to them about what kind of agreement that might look like,” said Director of Corporate Service for the City of Merritt, Greg Lowis.

The TNRD has recently approved a new fire hall in Monte Creek to expand fire service in that area, but Laird noted that process wouldn’t be a quick fix by any means for Lower Nicola.

“That’s a year-and-a-half-to-two year process. You have to get it passed through a referendum and have the taxpayer support building a fire service. They have done that at Monte Creek and that’s now in the process of moving forward but it’s not a quick process,” said Laird.

by Michael Reeve

TNRD hoping to work with Merritt to cover fire protection shortages

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