Erris Volunteer Fire Association held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday, July 6. The board of executives for 2013/14 are; Sandi Lawlor - president, Rick Freeman - vice president, Lyslie Reme - treasurer, Wendy Freeman - secretary and Rick Blue - director.
The association also consists of seven fire fighters, six first responders, assistant Fire Chiefs; Dave Stringfellow and Rick Blue, First Responder coordinator, Debbie Blue (retired nurse) and dispatch personnel; Chris Ross and Emily Poisen.
As well as the AGM, the association held an open house to celebrate their newly constructed fire hall. Their building team leader is Wayne Ross, who also designed the hall.
“We’ve been beyond fortunate,” said Sandi Lawlor, president of the association.
With thanks to donators and volunteers, in less than a years time, the volunteer association has been able to break ground and begin construction of their fire hall.
Donators have supplied; time and equipment for pre-build fine tuning - Walt Thomson, land clearing provided by Bob & Pam Witt and Pat Fitzgerald, Arrow Transport - Dean McKinnon, all weather windows and doors - Scott Walker, Trusses and installation - Chris Willing and Joe Tosczak, fire hall roof provided by Paul Garrett and the Roofing Team, electrical supplies by Pete Rubingh of Princeton Home Hardware, time and /or materials by Jim Barnes of Hayes Creek Electric, Jeff Larsen of Princeton Weyerhaeuser donated all lumber for the structure, Rick Freeman of Windsor Meats donated all the OSB board.and Keystone Electric will provide the interior lighting for the hall.
Major discounts were given to the association by; Vern Richard and Bob Weismiller for the Overhead Door - delivered and installed and by Jamie Hassell of Princeton Redi Mix for the foundation.
Financial support has been given by the Royal Canadian Legion - B.C./Yukon Division, Royal Canadian Legion - George Pearkes Branch #56 Princeton, the RDOS Community Forestry Fund and by the Regional District of Okanagan- Similkameen with thanks to the efforts of Area H Director, Brad Hope. “Brad is to be thanked for his incredible guidance as well,” said Lawlor.
The association has received their two trucks thanks to both Brad Hope and the Hayes Creek Volunteer Fire Association.
The volunteers building the fire hall all live in the Erris area. With more hard work and dedication, they plan to have the hall finished by mid September.
The celebration then will be a “Barn Dance.”