Input from the Port Alberni Fire Department and the city of Port Alberni were crucial to developing a series of regional workshops for fire departments across the province.
Funding in the amount of $50,000 has been set aside by Emergency Management BC for the program, which was designed “to foster a better understanding of roles and responsibilities around the governance and administration of fire departments.”
PAFD fire Chief Tim Pley, who is president of the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C., and Watson, through his involvement with the Local Government Management Association of B.C., helped develop the administrative side while deputy fire Chief Chris Jancowski was involved on the fire department end.
“Chris led the curriculum development team from the fire chiefs’ side,” said Pley.
Pley, Jancowski and city manager Ken Watson all helped deliver the first pilot workshop in Prince George in December.
Given its involvement in the program’s inception, the PAFD already has the knowledge to be taught in the workshops themselves but the volunteer departments in the regional district will.
“I think our neighbouring departments will have the opportunity to benefit from it.”
Another pilot workshop is tentatively scheduled in the Kootenay area for late winter or early spring, with another one possibly coming to Vancouver Island in mid-September.
“We’re hopeful that local governments, including the regional district, and fire chiefs will hopefully attend that,” said Pley.
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