It has been difficult covering the Midway fire department radio frequency story.
They say hindsight is 20/20, and it’s been relatively easy to put the background and history down on paper.
But when looking back on something like this, it is all too easy to be lulled into the false sense that it is totally understood. After you’ve figured out the ‘who, what, why, when and where’ of the situation it is tempting to start pointing fingers.
“Well they did it – so let’s blame them!”
This kind of thinking divides the community and, unfortunately, the problem remains in need of a solution.
It is very unfortunate that this has come to a head right now at a time when the fire department is working to expand fire services to the Kettle Valley area.
Because of the aging demographics in the village, the average age of fire fighters has been a concern for a number of years. Kettle Valley and Rock Creek residents have joined the department and are now being trained - this goes a long way toward resolving the manpower dilemma.
In return, under contract with the village, fire protection will be available in the Kettle Valley to those who sign up.
It is a win-win situation. But a lot of logistic and legal work needs to be done to put the program in place. For this work to be successful it will require trust and open communication on the part of all those involved.
Unfortunately communication and trust have been scarce over the past while.
One problem is that Council has been trying to craft a resolution in isolation from the department. On May 15th they - to use their own words, “came up with what they believed to be the best choice for the safest and quickest resolution to the ongoing emergency radio issues.”
When informed of council’s decision the next day Chief Osellame resigned. Later that evening the rest of the volunteer fire fighters also turned in their pagers.
According to the mayor an agreement was reached after a meeting with fire fighters the following Friday and they had begun picking up their pagers.
But a statement issued by Council on Monday stood for only a day. On Tuesday evening the mayor stood in the community hall to read a revised statement that began with the words, “It has come to Council’s attention that our previous statement is not clear, …”
The problem here is that council is involved in a negotiation. What is needed is a joint statement that has been agreed to by both parties before it is released.
What we are getting now is confusing and less than helpful.
Residents of the village are concerned about the status of the fire department. Kettle Valley residents are also watching events unfold.
It has been extremely difficult to cover this story. Fire officers have not returned calls and council has been reluctant to say anything publicly beyond the statements they have issued. The press has not been invited into the room.
Council is to be commended for their willingness to revisit their May 15th decision. It is nice to see politicians admit that they may have gotten it wrong on their first try.
At the same time resolution has to come through negotiation and communication between the principals.
Unfortunately what began as a single problem about radio frequencies has now mushroomed into multiple issues. It may be helpful if they are dealt with individually. Agree on what you can agree on and then move forward to the more difficult parts.