Alex Van Bruksvoort, incoming fire chief for North Westside of RDCO. (Submitted photo/RDCO)

By Pete McIntyre

Vernon area resident

New fire chief for North Westside

Jun 2, 2021 | 5:30 PM

North Westside Fire Rescue has a new paid-on-call fire chief starting June 14.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan says Alex Van Bruksvoort brings extensive credentials to the paid-on-call fire department that provides fire protection and first medical response service to residents in the communities of Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates, Fintry Delta, Valley of the Sun and La Casa resort.

Van Bruksvoort is a Vernon area resident and served 26 years with the City of Richmond fire department, starting as a firefighter and working his way up the ranks to retire as captain. Along with his practical training and expertise, he’s a certified fire investigator and has lengthy service in both fire prevention and inspections.

“We’re pleased to have a person with Alex’s professional credentials take on the administrative leadership and management of the North Westside department,” said RDCO Fire Services manager Ross Kotscherofski. “His fire inspection, investigation and prevention expertise will definitely complement the fire suppression experience of North Westside fire members. He’s ready to act as a mentor and build the department skills even further.”

Kotscherofski thanks acting deputy chiefs Graeme Headley and Shawn Barnes and the other department officers for their dedication and diligence over the past year as a new leader was recruited.

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“Residents across the fire service area can take comfort knowing that they have a fantastic crew of members who’ve stepped up to serve with the department. And each remains committed to the rigorous training requirements and are ready to answer the call for help when their pagers go off, responding to their neighbours fire and medical needs,” Kotscherofski said.

North Westside Fire Rescue is one of four paid-on-call fire departments of the Regional District which also provides medical first response and fire protection services for the Ellison, Joe Rich and Wilson’s Landing fire protection areas.