Osoyoos firefighter Ryan McCaskill points to a pylon for some Osoyoos Elementary School students to knock over with a fire hose at a recent demonstration during Fire Prevention Week. From left are Jesse Pyatt, Cooper Jahn and Logan Fletcher. (Richard McGuire file photo)

Ryan McCaskill’s passion for firefighting goes back to his childhood when his grandfather, who was a district fire chief in Vancouver, would regularly bring him into the local fire hall.

“He was always bringing me to the fire hall and letting me sit in the fire trucks,” said McCaskill, who was introduced at the new Fire Chief for the Town of Osoyoos earlier this week. “I was always around the fire hall. That’s where I developed my passion to be a firefighter. It never went away.”

McCaskill moved to Osoyoos at age 19 and has been a volunteer with the local fire department for the past 17 years.

He’s also been a full-time paramedic with the local ambulance service in Osoyoos for the past 14 years.

McCaskill, 43, said he had to be talked in to running to opposed long-time Fire Chief Rick Jones.

“It really wasn’t my idea,” he said. “I was approached by a group of the guys who kept telling me they thought I would make a good chief. I fought it off for awhile, but a few of the guys kept insisting I take a run at it. I thought about it and decided to go for it.”

Jones has been an outstanding Fire Chief for the past 11 years and “I have the greatest respect for Rick and what he’s done over the years,” said McCaskill. “He could do it all.”

His first priority is to install a sense of camaraderie amongst the 30 volunteer members and delegate authority, while providing solid leadership, he said.

“I want to make the camaraderie amongst the entire group really strong,” he said. “I think that by working together as a team that we can accomplish great things.

“I’m not going to be shy to have the guys share the workload, share the equipment and make everyone feel like they’re part of a really good team.”

Because he works long hours as a paramedic, McCaskill said he also wants to have a solid management team of officers in place to ensure things run smoothly when he can’t answer an emergency call.

Admitting he doesn’t know a lot about the administrative side of the job, McCaskill said he’s more than willing to learn.

He also wants other officers who show an interest in learning about the administrative responsibilities of operating a small-town fire department to step forward and learn as a team, he said.

McCaskill said he’s really looking forward to his new duties and is confident he can provide the leadership needed to continue the great reputation the Osoyoos Fire Department has in the community.

“I’m going to stay in this job as long as the guys are happy and they want me around,” he said. “If the members at any time don’t think I’m doing a good job, I’d be more than willing to step down.”

Jones said he is looking forward to his first Christmas at home in more than a decade without having to worry about the phone ringing calling him out to another fire or emergency.

Jones has been a member of the Osoyoos Fire Department for almost 36 years and spent the past 11 years as Fire Chief.

The Town of Osoyoos issued a press release late Tuesday afternoon detailing the change in leadership.

“The Town of Osoyoos council is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan McCaskill as the new Fire Chief,” said the release. “Ryan has been with the Osoyoos Fire Department for 17 years and has held several officer positions. Ryan was elected by his peers at the Nov. 15 meeting.”

All 30 volunteer members with the local fire department were asked to cast a ballot in the annual election of officers.

Jones said he will be “taking a break” of two or three months after losing the election, but does plan on returning as a volunteer early in the new year.

“I’m going to take a little break,” said Jones. “I’ve been doing this for more than 35 years and I need a little break. It’s going to be nice to be at home for Christmas and not have to worry about being called out.

“I’m going to sit back and take a little break … I don’t know how long. But I do plan on coming back as a volunteer once I’m ready. I’ve been walking out the door ready and willing to go (to a fire or emergency) for more than 35 years and I’m not ready to stop quite yet. I don’t want to do anything knee-jerk, because you never should, but I do plan on continuing with the fire department as a volunteer.”

Jones said McCaskill announced several weeks ago that he was going to oppose him for the position of Fire Chief and he congratulated him on his victory.

Those who voted against him obviously wanted a change at the top and he respects the democratic method in which a new Fire Chief was selected.

“Everyone (in the department) seems to think the job (Fire Chief) is easy and now they’re going to find out that’s not always the case,” he said.

The Osoyoos Fire Department holds an annual election for management positions each November and he’s proud to have been elected 11 years in succession for the top job, said Jones.

“I was kind of surprised by the result … but you have to be prepared for anything when you’re in a job like this,” he said. “An election is an election.”

It’s going to take a period of adjustment for McCaskill to learn all of the skills needed to run the department and he wishes him nothing but the best, said Jones.

“I know there were some of the guys who really do think this job is easy and they decided it was time for a change,” he said. “He (McCaskill) will have his hands full in finding out exactly what the job is all about, but I think if he’s paid attention like I think he has, he will do well.”

Jones said he’s proud to have led an organization for more than a decade that he believes has a rock-solid reputation in the community.

“I think most people in town think we have a pretty darned good volunteer fire department,” he said.

Jones said he will strongly consider running for Fire Chief once again a year from now.

“I will see how things go between now and then … but I certainly won’t rule it out,” he said.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos Fire Chief Rick Jones has been replaced by Ryan McCaskill in a vote by members of the Osoyoos Fire Department. (Richard McGuire file photo)