The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is in the process of establishing an Advisory Group to help provide input on the Hosmer Fire Hall project.

“Last fall, after receiving a number of professional reports, we held a community meeting followed by a comment period and I’m grateful to everyone who took time to get involved and share their thoughts,” explains Electoral Area A Director Thomas McDonald. “Following the presentation and comment period, and given the ongoing complexity of the process, I felt it was important to bring in the community in a more active way to help guide the next steps of the process. To that end, at the March Board Meeting I received the support of the Board to establish the Hosmer Fire Hall Advisory Group.”

The volunteer Advisory Group will provide advice and feedback to RDEK staff and the Area A Director, while serving as a liaison with the public throughout the process. Terms of Reference and the online application form have been posted on the project page: engage.rdek.bc.ca/hosmerfirehall. For anyone without access to a computer, forms can be sent on request, and applications can also be filled out by phone by contacting the RDEK Office in Cranbrook.

The deadline to submit an application is April 28, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the Board and appointments made at the May Board meeting.

“We recognize this is an important project in the community and that there are a range of perspectives that need to be considered. Having an advisory group that represents a broad cross-section of the service area will lead to stronger engagement, well-rounded discussions, and hopefully help lead us to the best solution,” adds McDonald.

The current Hosmer Fire Hall requires significant renovations to ensure the health and safety of firefighters and structural integrity of the space, and no longer meets the space requirements for the equipment and trucks required to continue to provide fire service to the Hosmer Fire Protection Service Area.