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1978
In 1978 it was decided to start planning for the future. It was decided by the members to add another full length bay to the west side of the hall. At this time we were fitting 3 trucks into a two-bay hall. Careful maneuvering around the center post which is the main support for the roof required skillful drivers. A drying tower for the hose was also in the plan but the funds were not available to complete this at the same time.
In November 1978 the third bay was added to the hall at the cost of $12,000.00 with funds coming from the equipment budget and loan from the RDOS. The roof of this bay was built to support a second story.
In order to obtain a certified Class A pumper for insurance purposes, the Fire Department purchased, in July 1979, a 1967 LaFrance 840 gallon per minute pumper from Kamloops Fire Department. This vehicle was purchased at no extra cost to the taxpayers, as it was paid for with moneys from the Firefighters’ Fund. The LaFrance had an open cab which could be protected in the winter with a canvas canopy. Behind the front seat was a Continental engine and 2 grannie seats. The purchase of this truck and completion of the hall bay made for a busy year for the department.
With the purchase of the LaFrance, it was decided we would have to sell the 1948 Reo. The department now had an overstock of trucks. As the Reo still belonged to Len and Rose Swales it was to be returned when we did not require its services any longer. Len Swales had no use for it so it was sold for $800.00. At the time of this sale in 1979, it had 32,000 miles on it. The Swales donated $700.00 from the sale back to the Department to help to equip the LaFrance.
With the increase in volunteer membership, equipment and training courses being taken by members, it was decided in 1981 to add a meeting room at the back end of the hall. The loft just would not hold all the members and guests. In the Fall of 1981, the volunteers added a 1,000 square foot meeting/training room. The entire funding came from the firefighter's funds which were derived from money earned from dances and working at bingo, etc. Bob Toogood was the site boss. Many community residents donated their professional skills to do electrical, plumbing, and flooring. At this time we also converted from oil heating to natural gas in the meeting room and truck bays.
As the Insurance Underwriters require a fire truck to be replaced or re-certified after 20 years of service it was decided in 1981 to replace the 1967 LaFrance with a new truck. Our original loan was repaid but the Department was still required to go to a money referendum. The referendum received a 97% vote for a 10 year loan of $75,000.00.
 With the purchase of the 1982 International King Seagraves it was once again required of the Department to sell a truck. They did not want to sell the 1942 Chev but had nowhere to store it. A newly formed fire department on White Lake Road bought it from the RDOS. As they were unable to bring their fire department together or pay for the truck, it was returned to Kaleden.
Soon after it was sold to the B.C. Transportation Heritage Center in New Westminster. It was driven to New Westminster and restored in time for the 1986 World Expo.
As the department has many thousands of dollars in fire hose it was necessary to maintain the hose by cleaning and keeping them dry.
In 1982, Marchant Constitution received the contract to build the 32' x 10' x 5' cement block drying tower.
R. Murfitt Chief from 1987-1991
Mr. Murfitt was also appointed Assistant Area Fire Commissioner in an effort to strengthen fire safety and fire prevention measures.
A major change was made in the Fire Protection boundaries for Kaleden during his period. Previously, Highway 97 was not included in the protection area. The boundaries were extended to include an area seven and one half kilometers from the Fire hall which took in St. Andrews By-the-Lake Development, Highway 97 and Highway 3C responsibilities.This increased the tax base for the Department considerably for fire protection funding.
Liability and workers compensation protection for Fire Fighters was not well defined or non existent at the time. Measures were initiated to have the liability coverage clearly stated and legislated.
The 911 emergerncy response system was placed in operation in the South Okanagan and consequently, Fire Fighter call-out was upgraded from telephone to pager-radio call-out.
Property numbering was reorganized throughout the area.
In order to pre-plan for future equipment replacements, RDOS was lobied to permit setting up an equipment replacement sinking fund on an annula basis. At the same time, our Fire Fighters were organized to carry out preventative maintenance work on the trucks and equipment. All servicing and minor repairs were carried out in the hall instead of sending them in to Penticton.
Our local constitution was rewritten in 1990 and subsequently approved by Victoria.
In 1987 it was decided that 2 large pumpers were too costly to maintain. Many of our fires were off road. Getting the 1967 LaFrance into the orchards and out again was causing damage.
The LaFrance was sold to St.Andrew’s By-the-Lake on White Lake Road. They required Fire protection and wanted to start their own department. In 1991 St.Andrews sold this truck as they no longer had a need for it.
 A smaller 4-wheel drive was needed. A 1975 International
4-wheel drive mini-pumper was purchased from the Kamloops Fire Department. This vehicle was also purchased without any extra costs to the taxpayers, with funds coming from the sale of the LaFrance and the Firefighters’ Fund.
In 1991 we purchased our fourth truck – a tanker truck. Because the uncertainty of a supply of water it was decided to purchase a water truck.
In October 1991 a 1,820 gallon 1979 GMC Tanker truck was purchased to provide better protection of our fire district. It should be noted that no extra tax dollars were required to purchase or equip this truck. Funding was provided from our equipment budget and the Firefighters’ Fund.
The department re-wrote their Constitution and By-laws. There were no major changes, just shortened and easier to live with.
At this time it was decided to honour members and non-members of the department who had contributed to the progressive manner in which the department had developed. The “Life Membership Award” is given to a retiring member who has been with the department for 15 years or more. In addition, to show appreciation to residents and members for special contributions to the department the “Erle Gardiner Outstanding Service Award” was established. Recipients include:
Firefighters Residents:
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Gabe Saunie
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Claire Langille
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Bob McKeefer
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Gale Johnson
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Bud Johnstone
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Bob Toogood
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Bert Hall
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Len Swales
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Rose Swales
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The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) operates under the watchful eyes of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). A budget to operate the department is presented for their approval in the fall of each year. When approved, the department must operate within this budget-no debt is allowed. If unspent funds remain at the end of the year, this amount is placed in a reserve fund for building or truck replacement. At the end of 1991 the department was out of debt and had reserve funds in the bank.
In 1991 the Regional District expanded our fire protection area to include parts of Highway 3a and part of White Lake Road. It soon became evident that a number of homes had been missed. The department could travel along White Lake Road and pass by structures that were not included in the district. In 1993, these areas were all tied into our district.
The purchase of a tanker in 1991 which required housing 3 trucks in a two-bay section of the fire hall became a safety concern.
We again found ourselves fitting 3 trucks into a two-bay section of the fire hall. In 1992 it was proposed to construct a full length bay, 16' x 36' to accommodate expanded equipment needs. The problem now was where to get the money to add on to the fire hall.
Research was done to apply for the then “GO B.C. Grant” We did all the paper work and applied for the Grant. One week after applying, all Grants were put on hold while the whole procedure was reviewed.
It became clear in August that no Grant was available and a new source of funding would have to be found. All equipment purchases were put on hold, funds were relocated and funds saved from dances and yard sales were put to use. In October of 1992, construction was started on the fourth bay. The department was able to phase the construction, allowing us to do our own subcontracting for concrete work, heating, electrical and painting. The construction cost totalled $30,000.00 and no debt was incurred by the department for this project. A number of the firefighters volunteered their time to do finishing work inside the hall.
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In 1995, it was decided to undertake site improvement on the parking lot.
In 1996, a 150 foot retaining wall was constructed on the west side of the property. Pereira Construction built the wall for $8,000.00.
The steel rail and painting were completed by firefighters to keep costs down. With this site improvement plan, it was also decided to pave a section of the parking lot from Lakehill Road to the end of bay four. This work was completed in the fall of 1997.
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