The Columbia Shuswap Regional District will be going to the public to see if there's support to have road rescue services provided by local fire departments where there's need. 

At its Oct. 17 meeting, the CSRD board voted to allocate up to $40,000 to conduct a public assent process so that electors in the affected fire service areas (Electoral Areas C and G, the North Shuswap and Falkland)  can determine whether they want to use tax dollars for a road rescue program. 

"This new service would be provided by existing CSRD fire departments in those specified areas," said the CSRD in a media release. "Currently, these areas either have no road rescue service or are underserviced due to the travel distances required by other already established road rescue providers."

Road rescue services provide support to people involved in motor vehicle accidents, where specialized skills and equipment for vehicle extrication and other rescue services are required, explained the regional district, noting "affected CSRD fire departments have been consulted and are willing to provide the additional service to their communities and members of the travelling public affected by motor vehicle incidents."

The Alternative Approval Process (AAP) requires 10 per cent or more of eligible electors to sign and submit response forms in opposition to the proposed initiative. Unless this is met, local government has the assent of the electors to proceed.

The CSRD said the AAP is cheaper than a referendum, adding that if it is unsuccessful, the proposal may not proceed without being brought back to the electors for a full assent voting (referendum) process.

"Staff will now investigate the options for obtaining the required public assent and a decision on whether to use the Alternative Approval Process or an assent vote will be determined by the Board at a future meeting," said the regional district, suggesting the AAP, if supported, wouldn't occur until 2025.