A new interim Fire Chief has been named by the Regional District of Central Okanagan to serve residents in the Joe Rich Fire Protection District.

Effective immediately, Greg Robson will, on a temporary basis, take over the Chief’s duties for the paid on-call department serving the Joe Rich community. Acting Chief Robson has been an Assistant Chief with the Joe Rich department since July 2005. This interim appointment is effective with the departure today of Curtis Nyuli.

Nyuli served as Chief of the Joe Rich department since August 2003.

Regional District Fire and Inspection Services Manager Dan Wildeman says, “We want to assure Joe Rich residents that the safety and needs of the Joe Rich community are extremely important. Dedicated and trained members of Joe Rich Fire Rescue continue serve their neighbours by responding to calls for medical first response and fire emergencies. They are also available to help as requested and resources are available through the mutual aid agreement with the Big White Fire Department.”

Wildeman adds, “This temporary placement will ensure going into this potentially busy summer fire season that there’s consistency in providing the leadership, training and mentoring for those paid-on-call fire department members who are committed to serving their community.”

A formal process to select a new Chief within the Joe Rich Fire Department will begin soon in order to ensure continued community protection and the integrity of the area fire service heading into the summer season.