FireSmart BC is possible because of the collaboration of a number of agencies. Together, they form the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC) and work to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention, and mitigation in BC.
One of these key agencies is the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of British Columbia, also known as FNESS. They’re a valuable part of our FireSmart program and provide essential insights into how we can collaboratively better serve British Columbia.
Who is FNESS?
As a First Nations-led organization, FNESS has a unique niche in the domain of emergency management in BC, focusing on the recognition and strategic implementation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing in facilitating the coordinated delivery of wholistic emergency management in First Nations communities.
FNESS is guided by the four pillars of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery). They have an established and solid record in training, capacity building, emergency response and services support at the local, regional, provincial and national levels. They uphold and respect diverse cultural protocols and practices of First Nations communities in BC alongside leading practices based on Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge systems. FNESS promotes resilience by developing and sustaining emergency management programs for First Nations communities to become safer and healthier.
By creating a network of members across the province, they support the growth of all BC First Nations communities, identifying shared challenges, sharing ideas, developing new strategies, and establishing resource and support networks.
Collaboration with FireSmart BC
FNESS’ involvement at the BC FireSmart Committee level ensures that First Nations communities have active participation, engagement, and access to vital resources and information in wildfire prevention.
With this partnership, FireSmart can better shape our services to suit everyone in BC, and FNESS is equipped with additional resources to serve First Nations Communities.
Core Programs and Mitigation Efforts with FNESS and FireSmart BC
FNESS offers several core programs within the FNESS Mitigation Department. They achieve this work through their key divisions:
- Wildfire Resiliency Division
- Cultural and Prescribed Fire Division
- Integrated Fire Management
- FireSmart Division
Cultural Burning Revitalization and Prescribed Fire
The Cultural and Prescribed Fire Division works with First Nation communities to identify traditional burn areas, community objectives, and opportunities for cultural and prescribed fire within reserve lands and traditional territories. This includes working closely with Fire Keepers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and community members to support burn planning, training, and long-term fire stewardship. In partnership with BC Wildfire Service, Wildfire Risk Reduction, Ecosystem Restoration, educational institutions, and provincial cultural and prescribed fire committees, the division helps strengthen planning, training, prescription development, monitoring, and operational support for prescribed fire across B.C.
Wildfire Resiliency Division
The FNESS Wildfire Resiliency Division consists of a team of primarily Registered Forest Professionals, titled Wildfire Resiliency Advisors (WRA). Wildfire Resiliency Advisors play a crucial role in supporting BC First Nations by providing advice and guidance to mitigate the effects of wildfires. This includes assisting Nations to access various funding programs designed to build community wildfire resiliency. Primary funding programs consist of the FNESS-ISC On-Reserve Wildfire Resiliency funding and the Community Resiliency Investment – FireSmart and Community Funding Supports (CRI-FCFS).
WRA’s work with communities to understand community priorities and guide project development and funding applications to address those priorities. WRA’s offer technical expertise, promote Indigenous Knowledge in developing wildfire resiliency, and provide ongoing project support with a focus on capacity building and community-centric results. From initial outreach and engagement, through to project completion, the WRA team is available to support communities, contributing to the development and implementation of various community-driven wildfire resiliency strategies.
Integrated Fire Management Division
The Integrated Fire Management (IFM) team implements a comprehensive planning framework across all four pillars of emergency management. We recognize that fire is a vital stage of a healthy forest ecosystem, meaning that fostering a proactive relationship with fire is essential for both our team and our partners. Utilizing advanced spatial databases and tools like ArcGIS and FME, the division delivers critical data products and innovative terrain modelling:
- Resilient Future Conditions (RFC) Mapping: Paints a clear picture of what a healthy, wildfire-resilient forest should look like. Guided by Natural Disturbance Type 4 (NDT4) ecosystem profiles, this mapping informs land-use decisions where multiple overlapping objectives exist—including industry development, infrastructure planning, fire mitigation, habitat preservation, and ecological restoration.
- Variable Buffer Width (VBW): Replaces traditional, fixed FireSmart buffer zones with dynamic, terrain-specific boundaries calculated from aspect and slope raster data. These outputs allow home ignition zone (HIZ) treatments to adapt to actual landscape variables. As provincial LiDAR coverage expands, future iterations will integrate localized weather, climate, and vegetation modelling to further enhance planning accuracy.
- Fire Risk Sensors: A collaborative initiative between FNESS and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) that weaves Indigenous knowledge with remote environmental sensor technology. Eligible communities receive mobile sensor stations that track micro-climate data (including temperature, wind, soil moisture, and PM2.5 particulate matter). This data is processed through deep learning models to generate real-time wildfire risk heat maps (Wildfire Susceptibility Index) on a localized dashboard, helping communities maintain situational awareness while contributing to broader provincial climate modelling.
These 3 tools are shelf-ready, and if you want to work with us, please reach out to ifm@fness.bc.ca
FireSmart Division
First Nations communities are among the highest at risk of being impacted by wildfires. FireSmart BC recognizes this and is taking additional steps to reach, support, and serve these communities in their fire mitigation efforts.
These positions help ensure that FireSmart materials are supportive, inclusive, and provide support for First Nations communities. The FNESS FireSmart Division is committed to supporting First Nations communities identify where to start, what steps to take, and to support long-term wildfire resilience. Their focus is capacity building, mentorship, and strengthening sustainable community-led FireSmart programs. The team provides guidance, tools, and support that empower communities to lead and sustain their own FireSmart journey.
The FNESS FireSmart Division chairs the FireSmart Indigenous Outreach Alliance (IOA). The purpose of the IOA is to strengthen collaboration between FSCs who work for First Nations within BC, to promote idea sharing and to provide avenues of support and information. Additionally, the Alliance provides strategic insight, advice, and recommendations to support the ongoing development, delivery, and improvement of the FireSmart BC Program. The Alliance consists of FireSmart Coordinators working for First Nations in B.C.
We’re excited to introduce this team and their roles.
Dan Stevens, FNESS FireSmart Supervisor.
Dan works shoulder to shoulder with First Nations communities across the Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres, supporting the design and delivery of community-led FireSmart programs. As a Supervisor with the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS), he leads and mentors a team of FireSmart Advisors and FireSmart Research Advisors, ensuring strong coordination, communication, and support for communities.
He develops and oversees operational plans in collaboration with the FNESS Mitigation Manager, supports FireSmart Coordinators and community positions, and helps maintain consistent program standards and best practices.
He works closely with FireSmart BC, the BC Wildfire Service, the BC FireSmart Committee and serves as a provincial liaison to FireSmart Canada.
Courtenay Campbell, FNESS FireSmart Researcher
Courtenay supports research to strengthen FireSmart initiatives in Indigenous communities by gathering and analyzing data, developing research reports, reviewing technical documents, and helping translate research findings into FireSmart strategies. Over the past several years, she has worked in wildfire ecology research through Thompson Rivers University, alongside two field seasons of experience as a forestry technician. Courtenay is committed to supporting community resilience, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and advancing culturally informed approaches to FireSmart.
Helena Marken, FNESS FireSmart Researcher (part-time)
Helena Marken (she/her) is a FireSmart Research Advisor for the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS). In this position, she works to strengthen FireSmart initiatives with Indigenous communities by creating technical documents, listening to community needs, and advising on research projects as a subject matter expert.
She has worked in wildfire for over a decade, as a wildland firefighter, in operational communications, and in FireSmart research. She has a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science and is in pursuit of a Master of Environmental Science. She is passionate about using research as a tool to improve community wildfire resiliency.
Helena is grateful to live and work on the unceded traditional territory of the Secwépemc people, who have stewarded this land since time immemorial and to present day.
Randie Morgan, FNESS FireSmart Advisor
Randie supports First Nations across the Northern and Cariboo regions with wildfire prevention and FireSmart mitigation efforts. Her work focuses on promoting FireSmart best practices, providing education and training, and supporting communities in accessing FireSmart-related funding programs. She also mentors community-based FireSmart positions and collaborates with FireSmart BC teams on the development and review of tools, resources, and initiatives that strengthen wildfire resilience.
Alongside her advisory role, Randie is a volunteer firefighter and EPC within her Nation and actively contributes to the emergency management field. Her commitment is rooted in services to communities, relationship building, and supporting Nations in creating safer, more resilient environments for future generations.
Danika Snook, FNESS FireSmart Advisor
Danika works alongside First Nations across the Coastal region to advance wildfire prevention and strengthen community resilience through FireSmart mitigation initiatives. She promotes FireSmart best practices by delivering education and training, guiding communities through available funding opportunities, and mentoring FireSmart representatives. Danika collaborates closely with the FireSmart BC team to develop and refine tools, resources, and programs that enhance long-term wildfire preparedness.
Outside of her professional role, Danika volunteers with Search and Rescue and Emergency Support Services. She began her career in emergency management as a wildfire fighter a decade ago and has remained dedicated to emergency management ever since.
Further Resources
Continue exploring the FireSmart BC website for more information on how to protect your home and community in the face of wildfires. We have many resources on wildfire mitigation, as well as programs you can get involved in if you want to take a more active role in furthering our work in BC. You can further explore FNESS and the work they’re doing on their website, get recent updates on their social media, or learn how to get involved through current career opportunities.
