Grand Forks firefighters stand ready to help with U.S. wildfires
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles, California raised questions about the city’s ability to send personnel and equipment if needed.
The query came from Christine Thompson during the Committee of the Whole Staff Monthly Reports. Firefighters and equipment from B.C. Wildfire Services have already headed south to help battle the fires and wanted to know if authorities had been in contact with the region’s emergency services.
Grand Forks Fire/Rescue chief Rich Piche said he had been in a preliminary meeting on Jan. 10 with structure protection specialists and with the Boundary supervisor. From his understanding most of the personnel from B. C. are at the scenes for a mostly supervisory role and the specialists had been getting preliminary numbers.
While he hadn’t heard any more about this, he did put together a manifest in case they are called and has five firefighters ready to head stateside. If they are needed, Chief Piche said he would let Council know if they are needed and when they are going.
For equipment, Piche said they have two tenders outfitted for wildfires from last season that remained intact, but they would have to be transported there as it’s a far drive for heavy equipment.
Councillor Neil Krog agreed it’s a far drive, plus there are several states along the way with their own fire crews and equipment. But to add some levity, he did ask if they did cross the border if they would be charged a 25 per cent tariff in light of President Donald Trump’s threats to levy blanket charges on imported Canadian goods.
Jokes aside, Councillor Thompson said she is still proud the city’s fire department was asked if they could help if needed, adding it’s a testament to how well managed and trained it is.
Fire inspectors appointed
The top brass of Grand Forks Fire/Rescue (GFFR) have been designated fire inspectors by City Council to be in compliance with the Fire Safety Act.
City Council voted unanimously during the Regular Council Meeting in favour of the motion to make the Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Fire Prevention Officers, Captains and Leftenants official fire inspectors.
Mayor Everett Baker added the RDKB made a similar move for its fire services.
Information posted on the motion stated the Fire Safety Act came into effect last August and requires regional and municipal governments to designate, in writing, fire inspectors and fire investigators.
“Designating a fire investigator/inspector will allow GFFR to continue to conduct annual fire prevention inspections and to provide post fire investigation reports to the (Office of the Fire Commissioner) OFC,” the request read.
City’s 2025/2025 Strategic Plan approved
Grand Forks’s Strategic Plan for the year was on the table for the Regular Council Meeting.
CAO Duncan Redfearn explained this is mandatory for the city to revisit its two-year Strategic Plan yearly, adding the format presented is only a draft and will be made earlier to ready and “prettied up” for the final form.
“This is the result of a number of conversations over months, in particular the workshop we had in November,” he said. “This is just bare bones information for now and there should be no surprises for Council.”
Council voted unanimously in favour of the Strategic Plan.
A copy of it is available on the city’s website under Council Meetings and Minutes for the Jan. 13 Regular Council meeting.
Draft pesticide bylaw readings allowed to continue
City Council is still considering a pesticide bylaw of their own after receiving feedback on a draft bylaw.
During Committee of the Whole discussions on Jan. 13, Mayor Everett Baker asked if Council wished to proceed based on the feedback.
“It seems like a hot potato we keep passing along,” he said.
There has been feedback from the public, as well as a business owner, said CAO Duncan Redfearn. A delegation is also being considered by the group that originally campaigned for the bylaw for February, he said, which may bring more information.
Councillor David Mark said while the council may be inconclusive, if the delegation feels it can deliver more information, he would be fine with making a motion to defer it to later.
Councillor Rod Zielinski asked if more information would help make a decision, but added that this could be an opportunity for more education for the public.
Councillor Christine Thompson said she agreed they should continue, if the delegation can deliver more information.
Council voted to move it to the Feb. 11 Council Meeting.
Council approves Trails Stewardship Agreement
City council approved a new five-year agreement with the Grand Forks Community Trails Society, extending the partnership until February, 2030. The updated agreement includes updated trail mapping within city limits and maintenance provisions as the city’s flood mitigation nears completion.
Bathroom accessibility upgrade for Gallery 2 gets the go-ahead
Council was presented with design plans to make the bathrooms at Grand Forks Art Gallery 2 and Visitors centre more accessible. President and Curator Tim Van Wijk said the plans include upgrading the main floor bathrooms, water station and a change table in the second floor women’s washroom. The building is city-owned and this will mark the most significant upgrades to the heritage building in nearly 40 years.
