A motion to make all RDOS controlled fire departments dry – failed Thursday at a meeting in Penticton.

Instead directors agreed to ask all 7 rural fire departments to come up with policies on alcohol consumption that would prevent any liability to the Regional District.

One model proposed for discussion was where a portion of space in each Fire Hall would be leased to the fireman as a social area – allowed to be licensed as a club and where each fire department would obtain liability insurance to protect the RDOS. This discussion is not over and may have repercussions if applied in municipally controlled areas. Mayor Stu Wells of Osoyoos said he voted to make Fire Departments dry because of the liability but said he agreed later to the compromise of asking for advice from the men and women involved. Wells admitted the Osoyoos Fire Department has a social club.

Some notes supplied on the Squamish Model:

The firefighters society arranged to lease a portion of the respective fire halls suitable for a lounge and could be separated from the public. This was done at the amount of $1.00 per year. In conjunction to this, the fire fighters society also provided liability insurance to the satisfaction of the municipality. I believe the amount of coverage was five million dollars. This has a premium paid by the society of I believe one thousand dollars per year.

On practice night, before the practice starts, a duty crew of four members is posted. This is to ensure there will be members who will not drink after practice and can respond to a call and or drive any of the apparatus. If they do not have a duty crew Dave said, the beer fridge remains locked.

As for liquor licensing the government does not have an issue unless the beer was to be sold at a profit. Any sold to basically cover cost is not an issue.