Latest updates:

Thank you for joining the community discussion

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) extends sincere thanks to everyone who attended the community meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

A special thank you to the Keremeos and District Volunteer Fire Department for graciously hosting the event. The meeting was well attended, and we truly appreciated the thoughtful questions and valuable feedback shared by community members.

Your input plays a vital role in shaping the future of our region — thank you for being part of the conversation.

The presentation slides and FireWise Consulting report have been added to this page and can both be viewed under the Important Documents tab on the right.

Read the latest information release here:
Community discussion to explore options for Keremeos Fire Hall replacement, March 20, 2025

Check out the FAQS below. Still have questions? Contact mweller@rdos.bc.ca.

The Keremeos Fire Station is more than 80 years old and was not originally built as a fire station. Despite modifications over the years, two recent assessments—one by the Fire Underwriters Survey (2022) and another focusing on WorkSafeBC compliance (2023)—concluded that the facility has outlived its functional lifespan and no longer meets modern fire service needs.

Key issues include:

• Unsafe Location: Positioned on a sharp curve at the base of a hill, creating hazardous visibility and access for firefighters and vehicles. It is also located in a floodplain, increasing the risk of inaccessibility during emergencies.
• Space Limitations: The bays and interior spaces are too small for modern fire trucks, decontamination, storage, and other essential services.
• Site Constraints: The station lacks sufficient space for vehicle maneuvering, and it encroaches on the irrigation district’s yard for additional storage.

Overall, the fire station is outdated, unsafe, and inadequate for current fire service demands.

Next steps:

Identifying and securing a suitable site for a new fire station for the Keremeos and District Volunteer Fire Department (KDVFD), ensuring efficient, effective, and sustainable fire response services for the community.