You can use ours if you let us use yours.
That’s basically the gist of the new Fire Department Training Facilities Use Agreement that town councils in Osoyoos and Oliver approved recently.
Both Osoyoos and Oliver have different types of training facilities that offer a variety of training opportunities, said Janette Van Vianen, Osoyoos director of corporate services, in a report to council last week.
“Both fire departments have requested use of each other’s facilities for training purposes,” she said.
The agreement formalizes the use of the facilities by each fire department, outlining their responsibilities and the need to be responsible for their own liability.
It clarifies that any damage done by the visiting fire department is the responsibility of that municipality to repair, Van Vianen added.
Although the agreement is indefinite, it may be terminated by either party with six months notice.
Diane Vaykovich, Oliver corporate officer, gave the example that Osoyoos will provide access to its hose tower for simulation exercises, while Oliver will provice access to its live fire containers on their training grounds.
When the report came to Osoyoos council last week with staff recommending approval, Coun. Mike Campol was the only one to speak to it.
“This is one of the few reports that really does fall under no-brainer,” said Campol.
He noted that there are benefits, especially with the challenges of wildfires, to having fire departments in neighbouring municipalities all with consistent training and the same level of development and training.
