Issued: October 24, 2024
The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), for many years, has worked to modernize fire protection regulations in the province of B.C. to enhance safety and improve service delivery in rural communities.
The SLRD is committed to aligning with provincial regulatory standards while working collaboratively with communities and their volunteers to support rural fire department efforts to work towards OFC-compliance and to maintain or realize improvements in fire underwriter survey (FUS) grading in rural communities.
The SLRD understands that residents have questions about the future direction of fire protection in the community. This community update provides information about the fire protection service, FUS gradings and next steps.
The SLRD stood down the Seton Valley Volunteer Firefighter Society (” the Society”) as the fire protection service provider of the service area in September 2019 due to the Society not being able to meet OFC requirements for a compliant fire department. Residents began receiving fire protection services from Tsal’alh.
This transition to Tsal’alh ensured that residents continued to receive affordable homeowner fire insurance due to maintaining the FUS dwelling protection grade of 3b. The FUS dwelling protection grade of 3b (semi-protected), supports community members in realizing an approximate saving for 40-60% on homeowner fire insurance.
Tsal’alh continues to welcome any members of the community who wish to join the Tsal’alh Seton Lake Fire Department.
The SLRD and Tsal’alh will be entering into a lease of the firehall, following which, Tsal’alh can move their equipment and apparatus (fire trucks) into the firehall, for the benefit of the community. In conjunction with the firehall lease, the SLRD and Tsal’alh continue to work toward a long-term fire protection services agreement.
The SLRD Board has sent a letter to the Society requesting their cooperation in transitioning to a long-term fire protection services agreement and lease between Tsal’alh and the SLRD. The letter is posted on the Seton Fire Protection Service project page on the SLRD website.
The SLRD Board has and continues to express its sincere appreciation to the Society and its membership for its many years of service in the Society’s previous capacity as the SLRD’s fire protection service provider in the Service Area.
The SLRD Board also wishes to express its thanks to Tsal’alh their partnership and collaboration in continuing to provide fire services in the community.
The SLRD is grateful to the community of Seton for your patience, collaboration, and support.
Additional information regarding this initiative is available on the Seton Fire Protection Service project page on the SLRD website. The project page will be updated with information as it becomes available. Residents can also sign up online to receive updates via email from the SLRD concerning the Seton Fire Protection Service.
Residents with questions can contact:
Mark Phillips - Director of Protective Services
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
T: 604-698-6442
E: mphillips@slrd.bc.ca