Panic and chaos as free salt is handed out at some Vancouver fire halls
Posted January 5, 2017 10:49 am.
Last Updated January 5, 2017 11:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It has been another chaotic day at some fire halls around Vancouver as people scrambled ahead of those in line to in order to snag some free salt being handed out by the city.
“Please get off the streets” — people scramble for salt in #EastVancouver #SaltCrisis pic.twitter.com/yPctda96A5
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) January 5, 2017
Yesterday, the offer caused people to take more than they were allowed, traffic tie-ups around the fire halls and, of course, frustration when the city ran out of what some are now calling ‘white gold.’
The City of Vancouver says there are two deliveries of salt to 10 fire halls and it’s asking those who need it to only take one small bucket’s worth — not two as previously stated or a garbage can full, like some may have hoped.
David waited for two hours at the fire hall on Prince Albert Street and he was left disappointed because he claims people jumped to the front of the line when the salt was dumped in the street. “I can imagine if this was an earthquake and we’re out of food and water and the United Nations delivered food — people would kill each other over that. Imagine that. This is only salt and people are just jumping in line.”
The confusion seemed to persist — many didn’t know where the line was, while others decided there was no line or order. “It’s like you throw a bunch of stuff out in the open and originally there was a line and then within 30 seconds everybody went crazy.”
“Those people first!” — lineup confusion in initial moments after salt dump at Firehall No. 13 #SaltCrisis pic.twitter.com/zEvqK5QZ2g
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) January 5, 2017
On Tuesday night Captain Jonathan Gormick explains they had to step in when one man took things a little too far. “We had to physically restrain someone who brought a pick-up truck and was attempting to fill garbage pails full of salt in the back of their pick-up truck, which is more than what any one resident could use for their sidewalk and driveway.”
Crews are using the honour system, hoping people will share. “We will have staff watching, but we don’t have dedicated staff standing to watch over the piles. We’re just hoping people act civilized and take as much salt as they realistically need for a residential walkway and driveway.”
A lot of frustrated homeowners around the Lower Mainland, pointing out that their municipal taxes should cover the cost of keeping their streets clear, while many roads are still covered in ice.
Jordan Bateman with the BC branch of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it’s clear Vancouver wasn’t prepared for this latest blast of winter, and that raises a bigger concern. “What happens when there are bigger emergencies? If a municipality can’t handle snow and ice, can they handle an earthquake or a major disaster? This is something we should all be thinking about.”
He feels perplexed that Vancouver is handing out free salt while begging for supplies from neighbouring municipalities.
There were several reports the salt was being sold on Craigslist for as much as $80. A City of Vancouver bylaw says the sidewalk in front of a business or home has to be clear by 10 a.m. following a snowfall.
NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate says there is more snow in the forecast and temperatures will hover around the freezing mark for a while.
Ten fire halls with free salt
Fire Hall #3 — 2801 Quebec St.
Fire Hall #4 — 1475 W. 10th Ave.
Fire Hall #7 — 1090 Haro St.
Fire Hall #12 — 2460 Balaclava St.
Fire Hall #13 — 4013 Prince Albert St.
Fire Hall #14 — 2804 Venables St.
Fire Hall #15 — 3003 E. 22nd Ave.
Fire Hall #17 — 7070 Knight St.
Fire Hall #19 — 4396 W. 12th St.
Fire Hall #22 — 1005 W. 59th Ave.
