To the Editor:
I find it very interesting in that the RDOS is actually asking their fire deptartments for input on having or not having beer in the firehalls.
While this is a good policy (to ask) why in heck’s name did they not give the same importance to the moving of fire dispatch? No input was asked for, nor accepted.
The directors made the decision totally based on beans without asking those that will be affected the most – the fire departments themselves. Something is very wrong in my opinion.
Most of the directors had never even been to the dispatch centre, to my knowledge; how could they vote without knowing all the facts. If the proposed (and voted upon) method of disptach delivery (radio over internet protocol) is utilized in all the departments in January, I will eat my hat; it simply isn’t possible, as far as I can see.
Was someone was given a real good salesjob? Time will tell if the service will be anything close to what they have now.
It’s a sad day for democracy; there really was none.
PS: oh yes, I am one of the dispatchers that will lose their jobs as of December 31 and I know radio inside and out; too bad the RDOS hasn’t a have the same knowledge. Sour grapes? Nope….just knowledge.
PSS: the RDOS stated that there are only seven fire departments under their jurisdiction; yet the RDOS seems to control all13 of them with regards to dispatch?
Allan C.L. Stark, Penticton B.C.