A boat to service BC Ambulance on Shuswap and Mara lakes appears to be a go, but a fire boat is a bust.
Currently, the District of Sicamous, BC Ambulance, the regional district, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Provincial Emergency Program are in preliminary discussions on having a boat located in Sicamous to handle ambulance emergencies on Shuswap and Mara lakes, said chief administrative officer Alan Harris last week.
“I am in the process of contacting the coast guard in regards to how that boat is going to be dealt with, but right now it’s ongoing and there will be a boat situated in Sicamous. It is just a matter of the logistics...” Harris had said at the June 22 committee of the whole meeting.
The matter was raised during discussion of the Sicamous Fire Department’s May report.
Coun. Lynn Miller had asked when Sicamous would have a fire boat located in the district.
Harris explained there is no requirement for a fire boat as discussions are taking place for a boat to service BC Ambulance.
“At this time, we’re trying to deal with the emergency on the lake... which is the number -one priority,” he said. “Once that boat is in place, we will see what the size of that boat is, and whether it can be utilized in a fire-fighting capacity. It’s a process of trying to figure out what’s best for the District of Sicamous...”
Miller questioned why she wasn’t made aware of the situation.
“I am surprised that as a councillor I am not aware of it. Sorry, but how does this come to a decision when nobody on council knows about this? Why isn’t it coming to discussion is the real question.”
“It is in the budget to purchase, but at this time, administratively, there is no requirement...” Harris said.