Winlaw volunteer fire department returns to work following chief’s suspension

A volunteer fire department in the Slocan Valley has returned to work today, after all 19 members resigned in protest of their chief being suspended.

Winlaw fire chief Jon Wollenberg’s suspension has now been revoked.

An issue arose when the department was asked to direct traffic at a meeting concerning last month’s jet fuel spill into Lemon Creek.

Wollenberg said he refused to do so, and understands there is a chain of command, but in this case he felt there was no emergency.

In a letter posted on the Castlegar Source, Wollenberg, wrote

“The Winlaw Fire Department is a volunteer group that has come together to help their community in the event of an emergency. We were recently asked by the Regional Fire Chief to provide traffic control for a nonemergency community event, I refused. Disciplinary action has now being taken against me for failing to take a command from a superior officer.”

However, on Thursday night, the department met with officials from the Regional District of Central Kootenay, and all have returned to work.

“The RDCK values the work of our volunteer firefighters I am pleased that we were able to find a resolution to this issue and to have the fire fighters in Winlaw return to serving their community,” said Brian Carruthers, CAO for the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

The matter is now being referred to a committee of four RDCK Fire Chiefs who will report back to the Chief Administrative Officer.