A new rural fire protection service that would include properties in the Wycliffe and St. Mary Lake Road areas has been proposed and eligible electors in parts of Electoral Areas C and E will ge the chance to vote on it in October.
“We have had numerous requests from property owners to establish rural fire protection, to include properties in the Wycliffe and St. Mary Lake Road areas," said RDEK Board Chair, Area C Director Rob Gay. "It has been a Board strategic priority for many years and we now have the details of what a proposed fire protection service would look like and will be taking it out to electors."
Ahead of the vote there will be a Public Information Meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Kimberley's Centennial Hall, to provide residents with more details about the proposed service and give them the opportunity to ask questions.
The meeting will include presentations from staff on different aspects of the proposed service, such as the service itself, related costs and taxation and the elector assent process.
“We want to ensure everyone within the proposed service area has the information they need to make an informed decision when they vote," said Jane Walter, Electoral Area E Director. "We hope to see a good turnout to the information meeting and there will be several other ways for residents to get the information they need if they are unable to attend."
The RDEK has also put together an information package that is being mailed to all property owners within the proposed service area. A project page has also been created, which will serve as the main hub for information on this proposed service. This can be found at this link: engage.rdek.bc.ca/kimberleyruralfire
The proposed Kimberley Rural Fire Protection Service would be provided by the City of Kimberley to the properties within a portion of the St. Mary Lake Road and Wycliffe areas that are kilometres from the Fire Hall.
RDEK Communications Manager Loree Duczek provided some clarification regarding the boundary of this proposed service.
"Fire protection boundaries are based on the road distance from the closest fire hall, and in the RDEK that distance is capped at 13 kilometres," Duczek explained. "The 13-kilometre cap is a result of recommendations by the Fire Underwriters Society (FUS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and the maximum distance from a fire hall that will allow insurance coverage for fires.
She added not all insurance companies will insure to 13 kilometres, many only provide coverage up to eight kilometres.
"Establishing a new Fire Protection Area is a complex process with many variables, and defining boundaries is always challenging," Duczek added. "This is why we adhere to established guidelines and standards. Additionally, the proposed area was determined through discussions with the Kimberley Fire, who supported a proposed service area that maintains the current 13 kilometre guidelines and standards."
The General Assent Vote will be held on Oct. 24 with an advanced voting day on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The advanced voting will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the RDEK Board Room at 19 24th Ave. S Cranbrook. The General Voting will be at the same location from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Advance Elector Registration will be accepted at the RDEK office in Cranbrook until 4:30pm on Friday, October 4, 2024.
Electors will vote on the following:
“Are you in favour of the Regional District of East Kootenay adopting Bylaw No. 3331 and Bylaw No. 3332 to:
• establish the “Kimberley Rural Fire Protection Service” to provide fire protection to the rural Kimberley area within a portion of Electoral Areas C and E;
• borrow up to $935,000 amortized over a maximum of 15 years to purchase a water tender and underground water tank for providing fire protection service, serving the Kimberley Rural Fire Protection Service;
• annually requisition a maximum of $1.75 per $1,000 of the net taxable value of land and improvements to pay for the service?”
