There have been recent fire protection improvements within the Northside Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) region.
According to a media release from qathet Regional District (qRD), in late 2019, NVFD completed installation of water supply tanks along Malaspina Road. The tanks hold more than 27,000 gallons for fire response purposes and result in improved fire protection capabilities for the Okeover portion of the NVFD service area. The investment has also resulted in the Fire Underwriters Survey extending the area in which it recognizes the NVFD superior tanker shuttle service.
The release stated that in October 2017, NVFD successfully passed live rigorous testing to demonstrate the department’s water shuttling capabilities.
“This resulted in the Fire Underwriters Survey updating the Canadian Fire Insurance Grading Index to recognize the provision of superior tanker shuttle service for many properties within the service area,” stated manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms. “These properties must be within eight kilometres of road travel from either of the NVFD fire halls and within five kilometres of road travel of a recognized water supply point.
“Originally the recognized supply points in the service area included fire hydrants within the Lund and Tla’amin water systems and water storage tanks at the fire hall on Plummer Creek Road. Now with the recent installation of tanks on Malaspina Road, NVFD has a water supply point serving the Okeover portion of its service area.”
Thoms stated that qRD would like to thank the members of NVFD for the many hours of ongoing hard work, dedication and training that has contributed to achieving and maintaining this accreditation.
Residents within the NVFD service area, and particularly those in the Okeover area, are encouraged to contact their insurers to see about possible insurance rate reductions, according to the media release.
