service agreement with the Peace River Regional District. “We’ve outgrown our old fire hall, and we need a new one,” he explains. “That’s going to be a project in the millions of dollars, and we’re really looking for grant funding and contributions from the ministry and anywhere else we can, to help defray that cost, because we can’t put it just on our taxpayers.” Wildfire threats have heightened the need for this infrastructure. With 87 wildfires in the area over the last decade, more than half occurring in the past three to four years, the community faces the significant challenges of climate change. “We need to be able to send our volunteers out to fight fires, and with the climate issues that everybody faces now, this is becoming more and more of a critical issue for us,” he stresses. As the Emergency Social Services center for the area, Chetwynd also assists wildfire evacuees with temporary lodging and access to food. “Since last year we have helped over 1000 wildfire evacuees,” he reports.“Again, it is a small team that’s incredibly dedicated, incredibly good at what they do, and incredibly committed to helping their friends and neighbors.” Chetwynd is exploring more incentives to increase its affordable housing inventory and is considering some innovative solutions such as partnerships with the local college, to involve trade students in building these homes. Plans have also been approved for a 150-unit apartment building, and the community has several other developments in the works. Whenever possible, McLain says the district seeks opportunities to facilitate development, making the process as seamless as possible. “Our building permit turnover is two weeks or so,” he reports. “We’re well ahead of the curve on customer service and that type of activity. We do a lot of development variance permits, development permits, and building permits. I’m very proud of the team. Our engineering department is stellar, and they have a really quick turnaround, because we understand that time is money, and we have a short construction period here.” 134 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
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