In a recent update to the 亚洲天堂 Lake Council, Robert Krause, Director of Protective Services, shared about the developments in the community's emergency services and bylaw enforcement.
Krause reported a notable decrease in call volumes for medical emergencies and lift assists. Krause attributed the improvement to the efforts of BC Ambulance, which is currently working on enhancing its service capabilities.
However he noted that despite progress, BC Ambulance is still facing challenges with staff retention but is close to achieving a full complement of personnel. The decline in medical calls is partially linked to hospital closures, indicating that the recent improvements by BC Ambulance are making a significant impact on service delivery.
Bylaw enforcement
Krause's report also addressed bylaw enforcement efforts in 亚洲天堂 Lake, noting a shift towards balancing soft-time considerations with measurable outcomes. He said significant time and resources were allocated to address issues with illegal camping, specifically targeting three offenders, with all related files now completed. A comprehensive review of existing bylaws has been conducted, resulting in the full rewrite of two bylaws and an update to a third.
The current contract for the bylaw officer specifies a two-day-per-week commitment. Over the past period, this translates to approximately 78 days of work. The bylaw officer has reportedly dedicated an additional 20 per cent of their time to bylaw enforcement duties, reflecting a busy workload for three-quarters of the year.
Fire department
In terms of fire safety, Krause said that while overall call volumes have decreased, structure fires have seen a concerning increase, doubling compared to the previous year.
The grand opening for the new Fire Hall is scheduled with two closed events followed by a Public Open House next month. He noted there are currently challenges with power supply, but a target date for resolution has been set.
Krause said the community has provided overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the new facility.
Adding to Krause's report, chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing mentioned that other service organizations are showing interest in developing facilities near the new Fire Hall, which may enhance community services and collaboration in future.
Meanwhile Worthing also said they are currently in the process of assessing the old Fire Hall building. An architect has been engaged to develop a concept plan for the expansion of the Village office. They concept plan will be ready within the next two months, Worthing added.
