Dear Editor:
As one who will be affected by the Banks Crescent development proposal to build 320 plus wood frame housing units reaching four to six stories, I share the concerns already voiced.
However, the issue of fire safety for the residents is also a concern. Once I was a fire chief of a volunteer fire hall.
Summerland does not have a ladder truck with the capability of extending ladders or aerial sprays above three storeys. How will our fire personnel be able to attack a fire that goes into the roof of a six-story building?
One answer is the Mutual Aid agreement with Penticton whereby Penticton Fire may dispatch their ladder truck and crew to assist once mutual aid has been approved and if the vehicle is available.
Very good, but it will probably take more than 20 minutes before they can reach the scene and set up.
Then it may not be able to get close enough if the layout of the buildings and roads are not well thought out. With some upper floor fires, especially in wood frame apartment buildings, the flames tend to run into the roof and the fire can gain quite a hold in that space of time.
A current idea with planners is to have vaults of fire equipment stored on each floor for fire personnel to access during a fire.
That has proven to be ineffective with wood structures. It doesn’t work well trying to fight a roof fire where you’ve got to get on the roof to vent. You need a way to get personnel off the roof quickly and safely.
Current fire code calls for at least two stairwells going to the roof and often firefighters may turn one into a vent with the intent to use the other as a means of egress — still scary if you’re working on a roof and the fire has a firm hold.
Will the egress still be there if we’re not winning the battle?
A ladder can help not only with a means of egress but also by providing a heavy aerial spray to help douse the fire.
Without a ladder truck, fire underwriters may down rate our department’s ability, and we may expect fire insurance rates to increase.
I can see the argument for Summerland to have its own aerial fire truck if six-storey buildings are approved. The vehicle will probably be in the million and a half dollar plus range that, hopefully, may be little used.
Then we have to house it and our current fire hall is probably inadequate. If so, add on big dollars for a new fire hall. Our taxes will go up for a good cause.
Will Summerland Council rezone to allow six storeys? It’s a chance to leave a mark on the town, not only with a development isolating 600 plus seniors in a cramped valley, but also with a new fire hall and an aerial truck.
Glen Witter
Summerland