The suspension of North Westside fire chief Jason Satterthwaite and Lt. Rob Gajda continues to have a ripple effect in the community.
According to the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), several members of the fire department walked off the job during their training on Tuesday, June 16. District staff said six paid-on-call firefighters handed in their pagers and a seventh member handed in a notice of sick leave.
It had been reported that those who walked off reasoned they wanted to support Satterthwaite and Gajda, who were suspended indefinitely a month ago.
The president of the North Westside Communities Association Wayne Nixon said he doesn鈥檛 know the reason for the suspension, and stated North Westside Fire Rescue (NWFR) fire Chief Jason Satterthwaite and Lt. Rob Gajda are under orders not to say anything, so they can鈥檛 confirm details either.
Central Okanagan West Electoral Area director Wayne Carson said it鈥檚 difficult because the whole situation is a human resources matter, which means everything is confidential to protect Satterthwaite and Gajda鈥檚 privacy.
鈥淚 have assurance from the RDCO that the matter is being handled now. My concerns are a reflection of my community; that there should be an independent fair assessment of what鈥檚 happened here,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 know that the Office of the Fire Commissioner is involved and I鈥檓 extremely pleased about that. I believe they bring an independent perspective to the situation.鈥�
Carson served as the North Westside Volunteer Fire Department鈥檚 chief for 20 years and said he knows how important the department is to the community.
鈥淚鈥檓 well aware of the fire service in the community. They鈥檙e paid-on-call volunteers and they need to be treated well. They provide an essential service to the community at a very good cost.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 just really hoping there is a resolution鈥� I鈥檓 going to put my faith and trust in the Fire Service Advisor and I truly hope the office will be able to come to a resolution,鈥� he said.
RDCO communications and intergovernmental affairs officer Bruce Smith said because the pagers were handed in, the district presumed that meant the members didn鈥檛 want to be active and respond to calls anymore. Smith said Killiney Beach鈥檚 Cpt. Graeme Headley and Short鈥檚 Creek Cpt. Shawn Barnes will step up in acting deputy chief roles so the department can provide the same level of service in the community.
鈥淚mmediately after the (June 16) meeting, the RDCO and the captains recruited three replacement members who were formerly part of the department,鈥� Smith said.
鈥淭hey are already trained and ready to provide service. An additional four members are in the process and expected to confirm shortly. Three of these individuals are also former members. Contrary to what is being said in the media, residents of the North Westside Fire Protection Area can expect the same level of service that they have had in the past.鈥�
He added the Office of the Fire Commissioner will review operations at the North Westside Fire Department and make recommendations, starting with a review of the officers. The results will be shared with the RDCO board at a later date.
In the meantime, Carson is urging firefighters to put aside their political and personal feelings and work together.
鈥淧eople鈥檚 lives depend on them working together as a team. Anybody who is on the fire department, regardless of their personal feelings, if you have a pager on your belt, you answer those calls. Leave the politics at home.鈥�
West K News has reached out to one of the firefighters, who handed in their pager, for comment.
READ: North Westside residents shocked at fire chief鈥檚 suspension
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