hopefully final email to board on 911

I have electronic copies of the legal opinion released yesterday by the board, and of the Lasqueti Fire Department establishing bylaw 391. I'll send copies to anyone who requests it, or you can get them from PRRD -  administration [at] powellriverrd [dot] bc [dot] ca

The delegation will be going to Powell River Thursday. Committee of the Whole will decide what to recommend to the Board of Directors that day. The Directors meet to make the final decision on March 26.

I hear that the directors are hearing from Lasqueti people in larger numbers. It's not too late to get your voice heard on this.  Contact information for PRRD directors is at http://lasqueti.ca/node/4872

Hello again PRRD directors,

Thank you for releasing the legal opinion on the Lasqueti fire department and 911. 

I want to make two brief points about it.

First, in Bylaw 391, the lawyers seem to have not noticed the word "specifications" in the fire department's administrative responsibilities concerning communications, on page 11 of Schedule D to the bylaw.  The requirement is only for "Preparation of specifications for new communications systems and additions to existing communication systems which are compatible with NI911 dispatch services."

The item asks only that specifications be prepared. It does not say that they should be implemented or actualized. The item does not indicate that Lasqueti should be included in NI911 dispatch services, merely that the specification for communications systems should be compatible. Of course, compatibility is desirable, and I understand from former fire chief Ross Thompson, that the existing and now-expanding radio communications systems used by the LIVFD are fully compatible with NI911.

My second point is that the opinion states you have the option to change the bylaw, if you feel that my reading of this part of it is not correct. You can also change any other part of the bylaw. If you feel that something must change at this time, please change the bylaw.

It seems to me that the immediate advantage to PRRD of including Lasqueti in the NI911 service is that liability for any shortcomings or failures in alert and dispatch of LIVFD resources is removed from PRRD. This could be an advantage to PRRD that should be considered, but it is certainly not a reason to impose it without adequate consultation and consideration by our community, particularly because the decision is not reversible -- once in, never out. The current alert and dispatch system has worked well for 20 years, and will work just as well for the next year, too.

There are many issues that need to be considered, and rushing into this irreversible imposition of 911, without the input and agreement of the Lasqueti community, is unwise and unfair. Please allow time in the next year for this consideration and consultation, and do not adopt the bylaws.

Thank you again for your careful consideration.

Peter Johnston
Lasqueti
250-333-8785