The other day I received a call from a concerned neighbour asking if I could look into a vehicle fire on Fairview Road above where I live.
I drove up to find a small motorhome engulfed in flames, which in turn had spread to the adjacent forest.
Now, having spent my career in the fire/rescue service I knew this would require some quick action to avert a major wildfire.
Next came a fruitless exchange with a 911 operator who refused to help coordinate B.C. Wildfire Service with the local Oliver Fire Department. So, I contacted one of the Oliver fire volunteers, gave him the scenario and asked if they could respond. It wasn’t three minutes later when I heard the sirens coming up Fairview.
Three pieces of apparatus and approximately 10 members of the Oliver Fire Department responded and quickly put the fires out.
I would like thank them for their prompt and professional response which surely prevented a large scale wildfire.
I would also hope someone is working towards preventing these jurisdictional wranglings from interfering in future emergency situations.
Bill Morrison
Oliver
