“My hope is that people will slow down.”
That’s what Malahat Fire Chief Rob Patterson wants in 2016.
The man tasked with dealing with the aftermath of motor vehicle incidents on the Malahat drive wishes for people to use their road sense.
“I dream of a year without a fatal,” he added.
Patterson wants to work with the highways department to try to find some solutions and to have a stake in government decisions surrounding the Malahat.
He doesn’t want to get stuck with what they tell them they need.
“They don’t live here. They just drive by once in awhile,” he said. “I would wish and hope for better communications between the government and local responding agencies.”
Patterson said the folks at his department will be in an unusual position come 2016, having to train a massive batch of new firefighters.
“We’re capped out at membership for the first time ever,” he said. “For the first time since 1978 we have a waiting list. There’s definitely people interested in stepping forward and helping out.”
Above all else, the fire chief hopes for a quiet 2016.
“I’m hoping the call volume goes down. I’m hoping people are safer. My wish is we can get this Malahat fixed. It won’t happen in 2016 but we can certainly get a start on it.”