Kelowna 911 emergency dispatchers have been moved out of their workplace following air quality tests that revealed evidence of particulate matter.
“Health and safety are primary to everything the Kelowna Fire Department does, so we moved immediately to respond when this air quality issue was discovered,” Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bedell said in a statement. “We are working to resolve the air quality concern as quickly as possible and ensure that regular dispatch services remain unaffected by this work.”
The media release from the City of Kelowna notes that staff concerns were raised on July 20 which resulted in three separate air quality tests and evidence of particulate matter was discovered on July 29.
“As soon as the problem was detected, Kelowna Fire Department’s contingency plan was activated, transitioning dispatch operations to its backup site location. Work is underway to confirm the source or location of particulate matter, which could be mould or something else,” the statement reads.
The City Occupational Health and Safety department is unaware of any previous complaints of poor air quality in the dispatch trailer.
Staff will be moved back to the main dispatch centre when the air quality concerns are dealt with.