WHEREAS the provincial government has reorganized the operations of the Office of the Fire Commissioner, thereby reducing the availability of trained experienced staff to conduct fire investigations, provide regional support to the local and regional fire departments and provide cost effective training for appointed Local Assistants to the Fire Commissioner LAFCs; AND WHEREAS these staff reductions will greatly impact local fire departments and LAFCs ability to conduct appropriate levels of life safety and fire safety investigations, thereby significantly reducing the quality of fire prevention services provided by community Fire Chiefs and LAFCs: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities appeal to the provincial government to immediately restore the regional offices of the Fire Commissioner and Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner services and training to the previous levels of services.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Province of British Columbia Province recognizes that the Office of the Fire Commissioner OFC is a critical link between the Government of British Columbia and the Provinces four hundred fire departments. The OFC has been reorganized to enhance service delivery. Fire safety has not and will not be compromised in any way. In the past year the OFC has implemented a 1-800 number 1-888-988-9488 so that fire departments can call the OFC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the event that they need assistance on a fire investigation. That service has been used many times over the past year. No communities have lost their OFC representation. The OFC is maintaining its regional presence in Prince George, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Victoria and Chilliwack. Additional Fire Service Advisors a new title for Fire Safety Officers have been added in the past year in Nelson and Campbell River. Advisors continue to assist fire departments by providing guidance and advice and assisting to coordinate andor deliver training, fire investigation and inspection services. Over the past two years the OFC has provided almost 500,000 in grants to directly support local fire departments. Funding goes towards specialized training for major wildfires and enhanced fire prevention and for public education.