WE THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS HAVE A HUGE CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING FOR THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS OF THE UPPER NICOLA BAND. THE FIRE DEPT. HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS AND HAVE NOT HAD THEIR ORIGINAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND TURNOUT GEAR REPLACED SINCE DAY 1. WE ARE A REMOTE COMMUNITY AND DEPEND HEAVILY ON THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT. FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT AND PROTECTION. LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE AVERAGE FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT IS TEN (10) YEARS, AND WE HAVE FAR OVER-REACHED THAT TIME FRAME. WE NEED NEW FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND TURN-OUT GEAR, IMMEDIATELY.