I was saddened to hear during the past week that RFS Inspector Ian Cook had passed away last February.
Ian Cook was responsible for developing the Community Protection Plan for North Arm Cove. He began his analysis of the threats and risks to the Cove community and how these might best be mitigated back in 2014. Over the following year he explored every nook and cranny of the Cove, met with community groups and presented his thoughts at a community meeting. His recommendations included clearing of strategic firebreaks, remedial work on five fire trails, an Asset Protection Zone around the Hall plus upgrades to the Hall itself so that it could become a Neighbourhood Safer Place.
He maintained his interest in the Cove by making regular visits to check that the work was being adequately maintained and submitting items for publication on the Cove website.
In his last correspondence with me he wrote:
I would dearly love to hold a community meet in the Cove to gather feedback on how effective, or should I say, if my work with the Plan, has benefited the community. The good bad and ugly as they say. Feedback is an important part of the process, and can help me improve where needed. It provides that valuable input from community itself.
Sadly, we no longer have the opportunity to provide feedback to Ian and to thank him for his efforts on our behalf. His passing is a massive loss to his wife Danette, his family and friends and also to the communities like ours that he served so capably and conscientiously.
