12 — Wednesday, July 22, 1998 — North Shore News W. Van mayor resp Boname fires back a letter of her own Catherine Barr WV District Council Reporter WEST Vancouver Mayor Pat Boname has fired back at district firefighters with an open letter to the citi- zens of West Vancouver. Last month, West Vancouver firefightes deliv- ered over 18,000 yellow flyers to West Vancouver homes. Entitled “An important message from your firefight- ers,” the brochure contained claims that West Vancouver fire halls were understaffed, unsupported and in dire need of repairs, upgrades and equipment replacements ¢ flyers both alarmed the public and disappointed local councillors. But after much discussion and 2 meeting with senior fire officials, Boname has issued the following open fetter to West Vancouver residents: . “The West Vancouver Firefighters Union has pub- lished its concerns about the ability of the fire department to provide ‘the fire services which ‘are required to meet the needs of West Vancouver. “A few letters and tele- phone calls to members of council show that this action by the firefighters has generat- ed some anxiety among mem- bers of the community. The purpose of this open letter is to respond to and clarify the issues raised by the pulica- tion. “Contrary to the impres- sion created in the minds of some citizens, the budget tor fire suppression has not been reduced and there is no basis for such a suggestion. “The 1998 fire depart- ment budget is approximately $7.5 million. Reductions in recent years have occurred in the area of administration, and from combining the fire dispatch finetion with the city and = North = Vancouver District. Incidentally, this joint municipal program was supported by the union. “The earthquake resistance of the fire halls was a subject of 2 1995 study. In that study the British Properties hall was found ‘to be satisfactory. The Horseshoe Bay fire hall is cur- rently being studicd as to whether it should be rebuilt, and whether it should stay in its current location or be moved. “The possible replacement of the main fire hall is part of a study that council has initi- ated to reviciw the use of land owned by the municipality between 15th and 17th streets on the south side of Fulton. drinking drivers THE following people recently appeared in North . Vancouver court in connection with drinking and driving related offences: Robert John. Gamon, 51, of West Vancouver, was fined ¢ -$600'and had his driver’s licence suspended for three months ~vaftter he pleaded guilty to refusing to comply with a breathalyser demand.’ '*« Gtahant David Williamson, 20, of Bowen Island, was fined $500 and had his driver’s licence suspended for three months ‘after he pleaded guilty to impaired deving. Summer co. learance ww o e Kobbler ™ Children’s Shoes “We expect to receive the study shortly. Therefore, it would be a waste of funds to do any upgrading of any of these buildings until the fore- going injormation is known. “Funding for the upgrades isa part of the 10-year capital budget and the results of these studies will determine when and to what extent the buildings should be upgraded or replaced. “The firefighters union also indicated that the mun- ipal hall had been seismically upgraded. This is not the case -«~ however, as the main reere- ation centre is designated as a reception centre in our emer- gency plan. It was upgraded in 1997. “We are aware our ladder truck is 20 years old, in full working order and little used. Our ladder truck, or its poten- tial replacement are both tim- ited to 100 feet or a maximum 10 storeys depending on access to the building. 7 Fresh Peach nds to firef However the replacement cost, for a new truck is slight- ly ander $1 million, theretore, given its limited use, discus- sions ar: under way with the other two Nerth Shore municipalities to determine whether or not we can pro- vide this emergency equip- ment jointly. “Contrary to the union pamphlet, the fire department is currently organized so that a response to a confirmed structara fire involves a toval of }1 firefighters not the cight they have noted. This coin- pares favorably with = the on-scene complement found in other Greater Vancouver Regional District fire depart- ments. “The marine firefighting equipment is available to us under an agreement with the Vancouver tire boat consar- tium. This provides for up to three fire boats; plus the Coast Guard, if required. “In addition the fire department has entered into agreements with to marinas, (in Fisherman's Cove and Horseshoe Bay), to use their boars with eur equipment sheald othe nced arise. Waterfront propernes are not tpically protected by marine based equipment, but rather in the same manner as non-waterfront property ic. with the ]]-man response noted above “It was confirmed by council during che televised Juiy 6 council meeting that no consideration is being given to reducing firefighting staff “There has been, however, a 25% reduction in adminis- trative staff, which is consis- tent with a proposal put for- ward by the firefighters union in 1997, “The only reduction in firefighting staf" not counting pending a, cement of recent retircrcnts, has been duc to the efficiency found in combining the dispatch cen- MANY MORE IN-STOR _, Prices in effect July ™ Royal Shoppi 922-897 jahters tres of the three North Shore fire departments. “This summer there will be job postings advertised for four vacant positions. ‘The timing of this coincides with the availability of staff te per- form the selection of candi- dares, subsequent training and enzalment in and completion of classes at the fire academy. “On July 6, the union rep- resenuatives also expressed their frustration at the appar- ent delay in negotiations on their contract. which expired on Jan. 1, 1997, “Management was willing ta commence negotiations, bur the union has expressed a desire to negotiate after the: City of Vancouver had scon- cluded their firefighter nego- tiatiens which “haven'r: yet been completed. OE, “The municipal manager ” will be contacting the” fire- fighters union tw determine. if. their Position has. now changed ... .” ede