Firefighter conference to pump millions into Vernon economy

VERNON – A firefighting conference held in Vernon is expected to fuel up the local economy. 

The annual Fire Chief’s Association of B.C. Conference and Expo comes to Vernon in 2017, and is expected to have an economic impact of $5 million in the community.

The event typically attracts 800 people, including fire department chiefs, deputies and trade show vendors.

“They’re here for 5-6 nights in a hotel, they’re spending their money on dinners and breakfasts and lunches, they may shop while here, may enjoy wine tours,” Vernon fire chief Keith Green says. “It’s a great opportunity for Vernon to have it here, there’s definitely economic spinoff from having that many people come to visit.”

Vernon, which hasn’t hosted the event in some years, was selected by the conference committee follow a visit to the city and tour of its facilities.

“They stayed a couple days, toured Kal Tire Place, the Performing Arts Centre and the training centre on Pottery Road,” Green says.

The conference gives fire chiefs a chance to touch base on common issues, challenges and changes in the field.

“It’s always interesting to hear other peoples’ situations and how they may have handled those issues,” Green says.

With budget constraints across the province, Green says there’s a growing trend of collaboration between fire departments to find ways to ease financial burdens.

The expo is also an opportunity for departments to check out new equipment displayed at the trade show. Green says technology in trucks, firefighter gear, training and incident logging is constantly improving, and there’s always something to be learned at the trade show.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.