Kamloops, BC – July 16, 2024 – Following community consultation in early 2024, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Board of Directors has initiated a referendum to expand fire protection service to include the community of Birch Island, located in Electoral Area “A” (Wells Gray Country). The referendum will take place on September 14, 2024.
If approved by voters, this service would expand the existing Vavenby Fire Protection Service Area to include the community of Birch Island and adjacent properties between Clearwater and Vavenby. The Vavenby Fire Department would be dispatched to any 9-1-1 public safety-related call within the new service area. This service would begin on January 1, 2025.
The proposed service would include constructing a two-bay garage in Birch Island that will stage a fire engine, within approximately 3 years of service expansion.
The direction by the TNRD Board to proceed with a referendum came after a community meeting held for Birch Islands residents on March 5, 2024, and a community survey that took place during March 2024. During both of these consultations, the majority of residents supported moving forward with a referendum on whether to initiate fire protection service for the Birch Island area.
“I thank residents for their time engaging with the process of offering fire protection services to Birch Island. High engagement ensures the referendum results reflect the will of the Birch Island community,” said Usoff Tsao, TNRD Electoral Area “A” Director. “And my gratitude to TNRD staff and the Vavenby Fire Department for their extensive research to get financial impacts and services details for residents to make an informed decision.”
There are 131 properties within the proposed service area. Qualified electors within this proposed service area will have two options for voting:
- Advance Voting Day: Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 8 am to 8 pm, Dutch Lake Community Centre (209 Dutch Lake Rd, Clearwater, B.C.)
- General Voting Day: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 8 am to 8 pm, Birch Island Community Park (1685 Birch Island-Lost Creek Road, Birch Island, B.C.)
Qualified electors may also vote by Mail Ballot Voting beginning in August 2024.
For more information about the proposed Birch Island Fire Protection Service and about the referendum, contact TNRD staff or visit: tnrd.ca/birchislandfireprotection.
Media Contacts:
Jamie Vieira, General Manager of Operations
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Tel.: 250 377-7197
Email: jvieira@tnrd.ca
Greg Lowis, Chief Election Officer
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Tel.: 250 377-7051
Email: glowis@tnrd.ca