Penticton Fire Department expands

PENTICTON – The Penticton Fire Department (PFD) is getting a boost from the city with the addition of a Fire Training Officer position.

Councillor Gary Litke says the new member of the PFD will be responsible for overseeing best practices in fire protection service training.

“Skills development is critical to customer service and innovation, and these investments will ensure that the PFD is providing top-level fire protection to the community and beyond,” says Mayor Garry Litke.

He adds the new city-funded position was identified in the PFD Service Review as an investment that would help with skills development.

The PFD says the new officer will also help the management team at the Emergency Training Centre at Fire Hall No. 2.

The centre plans to serve the local department and the South Okanagan region for live fire training instead of sending career and auxiliary members out of the community for required training, saving about 70% in training costs.

“These investments will go a long way to ensure Penticton Fire Department is well-trained and equipped to meet the needs of the growing community and safety of responders and residents,” says Fire Chief Wayne Williams.

He adds the city and the Penticton Indian Band have signed a letter of intent to expand fire protection services to include new development and residential areas east of the Penticton Channel.

Due to the expanded area of fire protection, he says two firefighter positions will be added to the budget in 2015.