In two instances today – Kelowna Dispatch called the Oliver Fire Department when it was not necessary according to Danny Skaros.

I talked to Chief Skaros this evening after a strange fire dispatch call – homeowner in 6400 Block Kootenay Street needed assistance with possible fire in dryer. BUT

The call to dispatch came from Penticton where the home owner told dispatch she had left clothes in the dryer and didn’t know when the machine would stop – so could the fire department help? The fire department was dispatched but did not enter the house as it was locked. The fire chief talked to the home owner on the phone. He also says he will take this up with supervisors in Kelowna. It just was not necessary.

Earlier in the day a full crew was dispatched to a car accident where one driver clipped a second car. Someone said oil was leaking from the car so the FD was called. Once again Fire Chief Skaros says this is a waste of the crew’s time, not a real safety issue and a loss of  taxpayer’s money.

Skaros say Penticton based dispatchers used to talk longer with a caller and get as much detail as possible before sounding the alarm. (That was when dispatch came out of  the Penticton Fire Department.) That resulted in better dispatches, destinations that were real, and less false alarms.

Too many calls are being made when the Oliver Fire Department is not needed. Structure fires, very serious car accidents and major incidents should be the rule or clearly defined assistance calls.