AGM set for Nov. 20
The Shirley Fire Commission, officially the Shirley Fire Protection & Emergency Response Services Commission, is looking for three new members. The commission is a community organization that ensures residents and property owners in the Shirley Fire District are involved in providing effective, quality fire and emergency response services. It also helps in setting the property tax levy that finances the operation of the fire department and ensures the fire department has the resources to provide quality service effectively, consistent with the standards set by the Provincial Fire Commissioner.
Outgoing commission chair Jurgen Kirste notes, “the commission looks to area residents to help with its role of managing fire department financial resources. Commissioners are nominated by the community and appointed to the commission for two year terms by the CRD Board.” Three members are appointed to the commission annually for two year terms. Kirste added, “we currently have three vacancies that need to be filled by community nomination.”
To qualify for nomination, nominees have to be property owners or residents of the Shirley Fire District. Ian Blaney, echoed by Andrew Barber, both retiring commissioners, note that, “It’s not necessary to know about fire fighting or emergency response to be a commissioner.” Kirste, Blaney and Barber agreed that knowledge of the community, of the need for fire protection, allocating funds and an interest in helping to manage the fire department come first in terms of being on the commission. Commissioners Lloyd Reddington and Harold Shipton note that operational and functional knowledge can be gained through participation on the commission, “Typically, service on the commission involves attending a monthly two-hour meeting throughout the year.”
The commission is looking for three community volunteers for nomination to the commission. Nominations are brought forward at the commission’s Annual General Meeting which this year is being held on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Shirley Community Hall.
Chair Kirste noted, “Anyone interested in becoming a commissioner or wanting to know more about what service on the commission entails, are encouraged to contact the chair of the Nominations Committee, Gerard LeBlanc, at 250-646-2791 and discuss their interest with him.”