Peachland council is in the early stages of looking to replace the district鈥檚 aging fire hall.
鈥淲e want to set out the terms of reference and provide information to council for what the responsibility of a fire hall advisory select committee will be,鈥� said Mayor Cindy Fortin.
Municipal elections are in October, and Fortin says this is an opportune time to begin the process.
鈥淣ot because it鈥檚 an election year, but because if we need to have a referendum on the new fire hall this is the year to do it. It鈥檚 less costly in an election year,鈥� she added.
The select committee will be made up of seven community members and two members of council.
鈥淧art of the job of this committee will be to look into the technical aspects as well as gather public input,鈥� said Fortin.
The current fire hall, located in downtown Peachland, is becoming too small to serve the community.
鈥淭hey barely have any room,鈥� added Fortin. 鈥淎ny bigger of a truck, which we鈥檙e going to need soon, just won鈥檛 fit. It鈥檚 also right downtown.
鈥淪o when they do get called out for an emergency they have to navigate the downtown core. We have a great fire and rescue service.鈥�
Former fire chief (1980-2004), now Peachland Museum curator, Don Wilson agrees.
鈥淚t鈥檚 long overdue,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tight quarters in there. We absolutely need a new one.鈥�
The Peachland Fire and Rescue Service started in 1909 when the district was formed, with just a few volunteers and a few buckets.
The hall was built in the 1950s, and a second floor was added in 1980. The district didn鈥檛 get its first fire truck until the 1960s.
鈥淏efore that farmers used orchard spraying equipment to put out fires,鈥� added Wilson.
It鈥檚 hoped a new location can be found away from the downtown to allow quicker access to Hwy 97 for more rapid response times.
鈥淲e (District of Peachland) own property at 13th St. and San Clemente,鈥� said Fortin. 鈥淏ut that would be up to the select committee and council to decide.鈥�
