Dawson Creek Fire Services Expansion

As of January 1, 2022 The Peace River Regional District and the City of Dawson Creek will increase the size of the fire protection area for the Dawson Creek Fire Department (DCFD). The expansion includes three specific areas: South Dawson, Briar Ridge, and Riley's Crossing. Services would result in a tax increase for the property owners within the new expansion area.

The results of the public consultation are as follows:

• Support for the Rural Fire Protection Expansion was overwhelmingly in favour of the expansion.
  
• Consultation turnout was 64%, with 143 out of the 225 eligible properties filled out a survey.
• Support for the expansion was 85% in favour, 10% opposed, and 5% unsure/undecided.
• Specific details and comments by areas are located in the South Dawson Fire Service Expansion Public Consultation Results attached to this report.

In order to determine if there is support from the property owners to expand the service area boundaries, the following consultation was conducted:

1. An information package was mailed on May 10, 2021 to all property owners in the proposed expansion areas providing details of the costs and services being offered.
2. A “Have Your Say” page was developed and published May 10, 2021 that provided the content in the information package online.
3. Advertising through traditional and social media was conducted May 10 to July 17, 2021 to encourage property owners to review the information and provide their feedback on the proposal.
4. A virtual town hall meeting was held on June 9, 2021, hosted by the Electoral Area ‘D’ Director, support from staff, and the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief from the Dawson Creek Fire Department.
5. Paper based and online surveys were circulated through the information package and the “Have Your Say Platform”.
6. The information package and surveys were also available at the Ovintiv Events Centre voting location on July 17, 2021 for residents within the proposed expansion areas.

The results of the public engagement will also be provided to the Ministry as part of the package sent to them for consideration of approval of the amendment bylaw. If the Inspector approves the bylaw, it will come back to the Board for adoption.

Virtual Town Hall recording
Thank you to everyone who joined the virtual town hall on June 9. The meeting recording is now available to watch on the PRRD YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gYwZonx-xzc

As of January 1, 2022 The Peace River Regional District and the City of Dawson Creek will increase the size of the fire protection area for the Dawson Creek Fire Department (DCFD). The expansion includes three specific areas: South Dawson, Briar Ridge, and Riley's Crossing. Services will result in a tax increase for the property owners within the proposed expansion area.

The results of the public engagement will also be provided to the Ministry as part of the package sent to them for consideration of approval of the amendment bylaw. If the Inspector approves the bylaw, it will come back to the Board for adoption. Once the Inspector approves the service, a public information campaign will run for the remainder of 2021 to ensure residents of those new areas are informed that the service will be effective January 1, 2022.

There are a number of ways that you can provide your input and opinion:

1. Attend the virtual town hall and provide your thoughts.
2. Write a letter or email expressing your opinion about whether you are in favour or not in favour of receiving the service.
3. Complete the survey.
4. Cast a vote expressing your opinion on July 17, 2021 or during advanced voting, by completing the survey.