Urs Grob was excited last week when the board with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) named him as the new Fire Chief with the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department. Grob has been a volunteer member with the department for the past six years. Grob officially took over as the new chief on Wednesday of this week. (Keith Lacey photo)
The new chief of the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department (AMFD) says there’s no need to be making many changes as the small, but effective volunteer fire department has garnered an outstanding reputation for quality over the past decade.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) announced last week that Urs Grob has accepted the position of Fire Chief for the AMFD.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Grob emigrated to Canada – and Anarchist Mountain – six years ago and one of the first things he did once he arrived in the Osoyoos area was to sign up as a volunteer firefighter.
“I came over to this area for the first time about 20 years ago and just fell in love with the community and the area,” said Grob, who officially started his new job as fire chief on Wednesday. “I knew a long time ago that one day I would be living in this area and my wife and family and I made the big move from Switzerland six years ago.”
Grob will be replacing veteran fire chief Rob Burk, who announced he would be stepping down about three months ago.
Grob is an experienced fire officer who previously held the positions of lieutenant, training officer and acting fire chief within the department.
“Mr. Grob is a dedicated fire officer who is passionate about training to do the job right” said RDOS chair Mark Pendergraft. “We wish Mr. Grob success in his new role as Fire Chief with AMFD.”
The RDOS would also like to thank Burk for serving as fire chief for the past four years, said Pendergraft.
“Through Mr. Burk’s leadership, the AMFD has updated its fire fighter training program, upgraded essential equipment and implemented a medical first responder program,” he said. “Two key success drivers for the Regional District are to be a high performing organization and to build sustainable communities. The provision of safe and efficient fire and emergency services through community run fire departments is important to the high quality of life within our service area.”
The AMFD currently has an outstanding contingent of 25 volunteer firefighters and most of them have been with the department for multiple years, so he won’t be looking to implement many dramatic changes, said Grob.
“Of course I’m going to have a few ideas of my own when it comes to being the leader of this group, but I won’t be looking to change things too much,” said Grob. “Rob did an outstanding job leading this group and we all get along very well.
“We’re all different people and of course I will have a few ideas of my own, but my goal is to ensure that we continue to have an outstanding volunteer fire department and a group that likes to work together to ensure the safety of our community.”
Grob said he is really looking forward to his new duties as fire chief.
“This is a really great group of people that have a lot of life experience and a lot experience as volunteer firefighters,” he said. “Everyone loves living up on the mountain and we take great pride in what we do and being part of this community.
“I’m really looking forward to working with this particular group and continuing to ensure that we provide the best fire protection services we possibly can to all residents of the mountain and the surrounding area.”
Grob owns his own electrical contracting business – Sidley Mountain Technics – and said more than 95 per cent of his customers are between Osoyoos and Anarchist Mountain, so he will have plenty of spare time to focus on his new duties as fire chief.
“It’s the members who make up a good community volunteer fire department,” he said. “I’ve taken on the challenge of being the leader of this group and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Being the new fire chief is going to mean I have to dedicate more time to the role, but most of my work in my private business takes place up here, so I’m not worried about finding the extra time.’
Grob and his wife are parents to two children, ages 10 and 12, and they have every intention of living on Anarchist Mountain for many years to come, said the new fire chief.
The AMFD is one of seven RDOS operated fire departments involving over 150 dedicated community members that manage and operate fire departments within the Regional District.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
