Kamloops, BC – January 9, 2023 – The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is advising residents of the Monte Creek area that structural fire protection service is now available to them.
The new service came into effect on January 1, 2023 for 356 properties in Monte Creek, Del Oro, Lafarge and the east end of Barnhartvale. Residents within the structural fire protection area approved this new service by referendum in the spring of 2022.
Fire protection service for the Monte Creek area is being temporarily provided via the Pritchard Fire Department. The Pritchard Fire Hall is further east compared to where the permanent Monte Creek Fire Hall will be located. Now that structural fire protection is in place, residents within the Monte Creek Fire Protection Service Area can expect a full response, and amendments will be made accordingly once the Monte Creek Fire Hall is operational.
Recruitment for the Monte Creek Fire Department began in the summer of 2022, and training began in October 2022 for a team of 17 new recruits. Training for these members to become certified exterior-level firefighters is expected to be complete in mid-2023.
“We have been impressed with the response by people in the Monte Creek area who have joined their local fire department. We want to thank residents for stepping into this role, and we all look forward to the establishment of their new Fire Department,” said Jason Tomlin, TNRD Manager of Fire Protection Services.
“We also want to thank the Pritchard Fire Department for their dedication and their support in providing fire protection coverage for the Monte Creek area.”
Once training is complete, members of the Monte Creek Fire Department will respond to calls out of the Pritchard Fire Hall, alongside Pritchard Fire Department members, until construction of the Monte Creek Fire Hall is finished.
Design work for the new Monte Creek Fire Hall is currently underway. The fire hall is planned to be built at 1215 Hook Rd, in a central location of Monte Creek with convenient highway access. The land was generously offered by late owner Ed Herman for the purpose of building a fire hall to serve the area, prior to his passing in 2021. Ed’s wife, Linda, has upheld the donation offer. The TNRD appreciates this contribution made by the Herman family.
To learn about Monte Creek Fire Protection Service, visit: tnrd.ca/monte-creek-fire-protection.
The TNRD administers nine rural fire departments, providing structural fire protection in a number of rural areas of the regional district. For more information, visit: tnrd.ca/fireprotection. If you are interested in becoming a rural firefighter in your community, contact your local Fire Chief or TNRD Fire Protection Services at fireprotectionservices@tnrd.ca.
Media Contact:
Jason Tomlin, Manager of Fire Protection Service
Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Tel.: 250 377-2598
Email: jtomlin@tnrd.ca