qathet Regional District properties have been subject to FireSmart assessments, directors were told.
At the December committee of the whole meeting, Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said she had introduced the matter as a notice of motion after it came up in a discussion with the Texada Airport advisory committee, that it would be sensible to have a FireSmart assessment done of the airport.
“That led to thinking we should have it done on all properties,” said McCormick. “Maybe they are already done, but I don’t know. That is why this recommendation is on the table.”
McCormick put forward a motion that the committee recommend to the board that the board direct staff for a report on FireSmart assessments conducted on regional district properties.
Manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms said since 2018, all regional district parks and properties have been assessed. He said notably, Texada Airport had an assessment in 2018 and earlier this year, the FireSmart coordinator returned and provided some FireSmart advice.
“As long as we have the FireSmart program operating, we have these on our files and we can update them as we see changes,” said Thoms.
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall asked if it was difficult or time consuming to perform the assessments. He said he didn’t want to burden staff with a lot more work.
McCormick recommended that Thoms include the list of assessments to directors for information for the next committee of the whole rather than producing a formal report.
She then said she was prepared to withdraw her motion.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said it appeared that assessments were part of the overall risk assessment of regional district properties and that is the due diligence documentation that would be used.
“We’re being told that all our properties have been assessed, so as long as Mr. Thoms agrees, we are in a good position.”
Thoms said he could provide a list of assessments for the directors.
The motion for a staff report was withdrawn by the committee of the whole.
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