Program Information
The CSRD presently delivers a rural fire suppression service to over 80% of its electoral area residents. The service is provided by 13 volunteer fire departments and by service extension agreements with municipalities and First Nations. Combining the coverage provided by rural and municipal fire departments, 95% of all residents within the Columbia Shuswap Regional District boundaries enjoy fire suppression service.
Some fire departments now under the auspices of the CSRD began as ambitious, community projects, depending entirely on volunteer effort and contributions. Groups and societies soon realized however, that in order to operate a fire department to insurance and safety standards, a higher and more consistent level of funding would be necessary. Subsequently, with local voter assent, the CSRD assumed the departments as a function, funded entirely through equitable taxation of residents within those fire suppression areas.
Other departments started from the ground up as a Regional District function with area taxpayers funding the acquisition of land, buildings and equipment, as well as operational costs. To ease the costs somewhat, the CSRD applied for and received provincial assistance in the form of grants usually covering up to 50% of the costs of fire hall construction.
The very first CSRD fire department was the Shuswap Volunteer Fire Department in Sorrento, assumed in 1978. The newest department is the Eagle Bay Fire Department which began service in August of 1991.
View the CSRD Fire Service Areas
Standard Operating Guidelines
Standard Operating Guidelines are procedures that assist fire departments in order to meet their responsibilities regarding safe work practices as required by Worksafe BC. The CSRD's Fire Services Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) were recently updated in March 2014, to meet the current regulatory requirements. The CSRD will conduct a formal review of the SOG's every five years and will supplement the existing SOGs with new guidelines on an on-going basis as required.
| Guidelines | |
|---|---|
| CSRD Standard Operating Guidelines 2014 | Link |
Fire Services Newsletters
The CSRD is committed to the development of an annual newsletter to provide updated information to the public about fire suppression within the regional district.
| Newsletter | |
|---|---|
| Fire Services Update Spring 2018 | Download |
| Fire Services Update Summer 2016 | Download |
| Fire Services Update Summer 2015 | Download |
Mapping
Use the interactive map to view fire services information, including locations and service areas of fire halls, FUS hydrant protection grades, and hydrant location and inspection data. Open the toolbar with the button at the top-right to use measuring and drawing tools. More tips on using the maps.
Full Screen Map
Volunteers
Want to give back to your community, make a difference to people affected by disaster, develop new skills and meet new people? Find out more about our Volunteer Programs.
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