Forty additional firefighters appear to be destined for NFR, including 20 next summer, following preliminary approval from City Council. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

call for help

Council pledges significant Nanaimo Fire Rescue investment during budget talks

Dec 5, 2022 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO —Additional resources for increasingly strained Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) appears likely following a commitment from City councillors.

Unanimous preliminary approval during a Thursday, Dec. 1 Finance and Audit Committee meeting would see 40 new firefighters hired, including 20 next year.

The initial wave of new firefighters are expected to be on staff next August at the new downtown Station # 1 where a new fire engine with enhanced pumper capabilities would be based.

Coun. Tyler Brown eagerly supported the funding proposal which comes with projected tax increases for the next five years, including a 1.04 per cent tax hike next year.

“It’s a big number, I get it, but we’d just be getting to a place of catch up. If you’re always reactive you can’t plan for the future effectively,” Brown said.

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Twenty more firefighters are planned to be hired to join the NFR ranks starting on Jan. 1, 2025 to staff a new frontline engine at Station # 2 (Dorman Rd.).

The new Dorman Rd. fire engine is anticipated to cost about $1.2 million, while nearly $1.5 million is intended to renovate and modify fire halls between 2023 and 2027.

Coun. Ian Thorpe said while holding the line on taxes as much as possible is important, supporting NFR is a high priority.

“This is not a ‘would like to have’ or ‘would be nice to have’ this is a must have for the good of our citizens,” Thorpe said.

Prior to council backing the funding request, chief Tim Doyle made a presentation with numerous NFR members behind him.

Doyle said it has been a staggering year in terms of their response volumes.

“In 2022 we are projected to exceed 9,600 incidents this year. That will be an increase of nearly 30 per cent year-over-year…that’s nearly 27 incidents a day,” pointing out it’s not uncommon to top 40 call-outs a day.

NFR chief Tim Doyle outlined a business case for additional fire department resources during a Dec. 1 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting. (City of Nanaimo)

Doyle said data between 2017 and 2019 compiled by a consultant estimated this year’s NFR call volumes would not be reached until at least 2030.

City councillors also gave preliminary approval to several full-time positions in a variety of departments around City Hall as part of the projected 2023-2027 financial plan.

The City’s draft budget calls for a 6.1 per cent tax increase next year, which will go up up beyond that if councillors don’t make reductions.

The 2023 budget will be a focal point of the annual eTown Hall event taking place Monday, Dec 5 at 7 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

People can offer their opinions in multiple ways during the event to be streamed on the City’s website and Shaw TV.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes