Update: New Jobs, Equipment & Contracting Out In New Fire Plan

UPDATE 12 pm:

More firefighters and equipment are part of a new eight year strategic plan for Vernon Fire Rescue.

City council has endorsed the plan which interim fire chief David Lind says includes 12 more full time firefighters over the 8 years.

“We’re looking at adding four more additional full time staff in 2019, four more full time in 2021, and then another four in 2023,” Lind tells Kiss FM.

Lind says more paid-on call positions will also be added.

The plan also calls for dispatch service to be contracted out by next year, which Lind says will save the city 200-thousand dollars a year, but will cost four dispatch jobs.

“There are very few municipalities that are still providing their own in-house dispatch services and it’s really around the economies of scale, so you’re finding most municipalities are contracting out,” adds Lind.

Lind says the plan is focused on providing good customer service.

“It’s focused on a reasonable level of service, so it’s not extravagant in any way, and it represents a good future for fire services and the City of Vernon.

The Vernon Professional Firefighters Association says it’s encouraged the city’s administration with mayor and council have recognized that there needs to be improvements to the fire service.

Local union President Brent Bond says “the union looks forward to working with the administration to make sure these improvements are carried forward.”

10 am story:

Vernon council has given approval to an eight year strategic plan for Vernon Fire Rescue Services.

The City says the plan covers issues like staffing, the operation of the three fire halls, and a replacement schedule for fire equipment.

“Our plan is focused on providing a reasonable level of public safety through a well prepared and equipped firefighting force. The plan fills in identified gaps in resources and addresses the most pressing needs for the consistent provision of service. Council’s endorsement and support of the plan is critically important to the success of VFRS and the ability to serve the community”, says David Lind, Interim Fire Chief.

The plan includes contracting out dispatch services in 2018, which has been opposed by the Vernon Professional Firefighters Union.

“This is an investment into the safety of our community,” says Mayor Akbal Mund. “Interim Chief Lind brought forward a comprehensive, eight year plan to build the capacity of VFRS to meet the increasing demands on our firefighters. Council has given Interim Chief Lind the support and direction to move forward.”

The plan sets out immediate objectives to replace breathing apparatus in 2017, to initiate fire apparatus replacement through purchase of a fire engine in 2018, to initiate hose replacement in 2018, to add four career firefighters in 2019, and to increase paid-per-call and paid-on-call firefighters.

The Vernon Fire Rescue Services Eight Year Strategic Plan, 2018 – 2025 is available for viewing on the City of Vernon website.

Kiss FM has calls into several people, seeking more comment.