A new acting fire chief has been named by the Regional District of Central Okanagan for the unincorporated North Westside area.
Effective Feb. 29, Jason Satterthwaite will take over the chief’s duties on an interim basis for the paid on-call department that serves communities within the North Westside Fire Protection Area. Satterthwaite has been the deputy chief there since 2014and he replaces Doug Gardiner, who is leaving to pursue an opportunity with the Fraser Valley Regional District.
Gardiner has been the fire chief since August 2013.
“Jason’s interim appointment as acting chief will ensure that there’s consistency in leadership and training for those paid-on-call fire department members who are committed to serving their community," said regional district fire and inspection services manager Dan Wildeman.
"He played a major role last summer in the department’s response and assistance to Wilson’s Landing fire during the Shelter Cove/Westside Road wildfire. North Westside residents can rest assured that dedicated and trained members of the fire department will continue responding to calls for medical first response and fire emergencies from their neighbours.”
Wildeman thanked Gardiner for his leadership over the last 2 1/2 years and wished him well.
"He’s helped to raise the department’s membership ranks and expand training opportunities for members of the paid-on-call department and is leaving it in a very good position for the future,” said Wildeman
A formal process to select a new fire chief for the North Westside is expected to start soon.