2026 - 2030 Financial Plan

Thank you for your question and for raising your concerns about fire protection in the Jordan River area.

Currently, Jordan River does not have an established fire protection service area, and the Shirley Volunteer Fire Department’s authorized response boundary ends at Sandcut Creek. Fire departments can only provide service within their formally approved service areas, which is why coverage does not currently extend west to Jordan River. 

The creation of a new fire protection service requires several steps, including:

• confirmation of community support,
• assessment of response feasibility (distance, staffing, infrastructure needs),
• capital and operating cost analysis,
• development of a long‑term service model, and
• approval by the CRD Board.

For areas without an existing fire hall, this also includes determining where equipment, training, volunteers, water supply points, and facilities would come from—and the associated long‑term costs to residents.

CRD staff can confirm that preliminary discussions are ongoing for fire protection in Jordan River. This has included:

• reviewing growth and development trends in the area,
• discussing potential service models (volunteer response, contracted service, satellite operations from a neighbouring department),
• examining response distances, and
• identifying infrastructure and cost considerations.

This work is ongoing.

Next steps are that the CRD continues to work with the Regional Director to evaluate feasible and sustainable options for fire protection in Jordan River. Because any new fire service requires a long‑term financial commitment from residents, further analysis and community engagement will be needed before a formal proposal can be brought forward.

As this work progresses, updates will be provided to residents through the Regional Director and CRD channels.

In the interim, Emergency response in the area continues to be supported by:

• BC Wildfire Service (wildfire response),
• BC Ambulance Service, and
• RCMP,
• and neighbouring fire departments for life‑safety emergencies when resources allow

Should you have additional questions or wish to express support for a structural fire protection service in the Jordan River area, you can submit an email to fireadmin@crd.bc.ca.

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your question. We understand how important it is for residents to have access to parks close to home.

Regional parks are a valued resource enjoyed and accessed by residents across the entire region. They provide opportunities for recreation, support conservation efforts, and contribute to the overall quality of life in our communities.

The purpose of the regional parks system is to meet the needs of the region’s residents now and in the future, respond to expected population growth, protect, connect, and restore the region’s significant natural areas, and provide areas for residents to connect with nature.

The acquisition of regional parkland is guided by the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Strategy. This strategy outlines the guiding principles and criteria used to evaluate parcels of land for inclusion in the regional parks system.

Establishing large, interconnected natural areas is the overarching goal for the strategy.

In some municipalities, there are very few large, undeveloped parcels that meet the criteria for regional park acquisition. However, we’re committed to improving the accessibility of our parks for all residents. A key aim of the updated Land Acquisition Strategy is to locate new parks—and better connect existing parks—along active transportation routes, near transit stops, and in places that make them easier to visit without relying solely on private vehicles.

If you’re interested in the Land Acquisition Strategy, it is currently being updated, and additional information, including an engagement timeline, will be shared on a dedicated project webpage that will launch later this year or in early 2027.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We understand that the amount of information can feel like a lot, and we’ll keep working to make engagement as clear and accessible as possible. 

Your feedback on efficiency and financial planning is important, and we will take your comments into account as part of our review. 

The CRD is committed to protecting your privacy. Your feedback has been collected under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All feedback will be analyzed in aggregate only and will not be used to identify individuals. Your information will be protected and handled in accordance with FOIPPA. If you have any questions about the collection of this information, please email engage@crd.bc.ca.