Al Richmond speaks on WL Fire Protection deal

Editor's Note - while it is good that rural fringe residents of the Cariboo RD (parts of EA Areas D, E,F) have fire protection certainty for 2013, a lot of hard work remains by 2014 to ensure that rural fringe residents' continue to have a basic service like fire protection is


Courtesy of the Rush/Wolf:

Statements released by the City of Williams Lake and CRD confirmed late Friday that the two sides had reached an agreement on fire protection.

The agreement will see the city continue provide protection for rural fringe area residents until the end of 2013.

The deal is based on a flat fee of $579,221.00

CRD Chair Al Richmond knows it's a good start but next year residents still have no coverage.

"We're pleased that at this point we have some certainty to the residents of the Williams Lake fringe, we've arrived at an agreement for a flat rate for fire services for 2013. That will allow both parties to go on and look at other alternatives for providing ongoing fire protection for the rural fringe area."

Court proceedings also ended effective Friday with no costs being awarded to either party.

As the deal is only temporary the CRD and the City of Williams Lake will both continue to explore their options for fire protection in 2014.

Representatives from the City were not available for comment