Joe Rich Fire Chief fired

KELOWNA – A Central Okanagan Regional District board member confirms that Joe Rich Fire Chief Curtis Nyuli was fired.

“Curtis Nyuli In Joe Rich had been fired from the position of fire chief,” says Patty Hanson, Director for the East Electoral Area.

Nyuli headed up the volunteer fire department in the small community east of Kelowna for 12 years. Last Thursday the regional district announced Nyuli was no longer fire chief.

“This is a shock to me, absolute shock, especially when we have been given no reason,” says Hanson.

When asked why the paid on-call fire chief was let go, a spokesperson for the Regional District would not elaborate.

“At this point due to privacy reasons, the Regional District is not in a position to comment. It is a personal matter,” says Bruce Smith.

It’s been a tough year for the well-liked fire chief. In January, his 21-year-old daughter Alexandra was killed when her vehicle went off Highway 33 and down a 120-metre cliff.

While the reason for Nyuli’s departure remains unknown, Hanson believes it’s the beginning of a restructuring process, one she says shamefully targets hardworking and dedicated citizens like Nyuli.

“These men have given their lives for us, it’s just not good,” says Hanson.

The Regional District says there are no restructuring plans in place with its four volunteer fire departments at the moment but it does confirm that a services review will take place later this year. The review will examine operations in Joe Rich and Ellison on the east side of the lake, and in North Westside and Wilson’s Landing on the west side of Okanagan lake. The review will take a look at any possible operation efficiencies.