Residents in the Southern Interior will not have to worry about receiving fire services in the event of FortisBC's now-approved safety measures.
Communities in the Southern Interior are once again expressing their concern as FortisBC's controversial Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) policy was found by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to be consistent with its Electrical Tariff. However, the Tulameen & District Fire Department (TDFD) is ensuring residents that it will continue to be operating, even if a PSPS event were to take place.
The PSPS policy was designed to protect communities and electricity systems against wildfires, but initial backlash led to its temporary suspension. After a month-long review, the BCUC approved the policy on June 23 and FortisBC can now move forward.
TDFD fire chief Jody Woodford stated that the department has been listening to the concerns of residents who are worried about the measures which would proactively shut off power in selected areas in advance of extreme weather.
"The Tulameen and District Fire Department fills our trucks by drafting from standpipes, the lake and river," Woodford said. "None of our water supply requires a power source."
Woodford added that the fire halls have backup generators as well, allowing the department to be fully operational going forward, “The fire department and firefighters will always be in service."
