By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Village of McBride has not yet appointed a fire investigator, despite the Fire Safety Act requiring local governments to fill these positions by October 28th.
The act took effect on August 1st, and McBride Council received a letter informing them of its requirements from the Office of the Fire Commissioner during their August 13th meeting. Council received the letter for information, but did not discuss it.
Mayor Gene Runtz told The Goat he does not remember discussing the act with Council at any other point.
“I don’t really remember discussing it,” Runtz said when asked about the act’s requirements. “I can’t give you an answer to the whole thing.”
The Goat also reached out to CAO Jeanette McDougall on Friday, October 25th, three days before the deadline to appoint a fire investigator.
“We’ve been in conversation with the [Regional District], etc., and the Village is considering its options,” McDougall said.
The Village will speak with a representative of the Regional District during the November 12th Council meeting to discuss the appointment, McDougall added.
“The Village of McBride is currently researching options regarding fire investigations, including having reached out to a number of municipalities to learn how they are managing this,” she wrote.
In an email statement to The Goat, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said all municipalities are expected to have a fire inspector and fire investigator by now. The statement did not specify the consequences, if any, for not appointing these positions by the Oct 28th deadline.
“Local authorities are empowered to designate their fire inspector/fire investigator and are not required to report when they have designated,” the email reads. “On August 1st, 2024, the Office of the Fire Commissioner sent out communication about the Fire Safety Act and the requirement for local authorities (municipalities and regional districts) to appoint a fire inspector and fire investigator. This communication was provided to Chief Administrative Officers and Fire Chiefs, which would have included the Village of McBride.”
The Village of McBride can direct questions to the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the statement continues.
“The Office of the Fire Commissioner is committed to a phased implementation of the Fire Safety Act and will be supporting local authorities through regular communication and collaboration to ensure a smooth transition,” the statement concludes.
