New fire chief for North Westside
North Westside Fire Rescue has a new paid-on-call Fire Chief starting June 14. Alex Van Bruksvoort, an experienced firefighting professional brings extensive credentials to the paid-on-call fire department that provides fire protection and first medical response service to residents in the communities of Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates, Fintry Delta, Valley of the Sun and La Casa resort. Van Bruksvoort is a Vernon area resident and served 26 years with the City of Richmond fire department, starting as a firefighter and working his way up the ranks to retire as Captain. Along with his practical training and expertise, he’s a certified fire investigator and has lengthy service in both fire prevention and inspections.
RDCO Fire Services manager Ross Kotscherofski says “We’re pleased to have a person with Alex’s professional credentials take on the administrative leadership and management of the North Westside department. His fire inspection, investigation and prevention expertise will definitely complement the fire suppression experience of North Westside fire members. He’s ready to act as a mentor and build the department skills even further.”
Kotscherofski adds, “I want to thank Acting deputy chiefs Graeme Headley and Shawn Barnes and the other department officers for their dedication and diligence over the past year as we sought a new leader for the department. Residents across the fire service area can take comfort knowing that they have a fantastic crew of members who’ve stepped up to serve with the department. And each remains committed to the rigorous training requirements and are ready to answer the call for help when their pagers go off, responding to their neighbours fire and medical needs.”
Media
Kelowna Daily Courier RON SEYMOUR Yesterday • 9:42 AM New chief for controversy-prone fire department (the North Westside department,” Ross Kotscherofski, fire services manager for…)
Kelowna Now Iain Burns Jun 03 2021 • 6:43 AM (also Castanet, Capital News, Lake Country Calendar, Vernon Morning Star, Vernon Matters/Beach Radio) New North Westside fire chief brings decades of experience (before retiring as a captain. RDCO Fire Services manager Ross Kotscherofski said he’s pleased to…)
