2021 was the debut of the FireSmart BC Conference. The year’s theme was centered around a sense of shared responsibility; bringing everyone from homeowners to local governments, First Nations, and wildfire professionals together to prepare for wildfire. This conference, held virtually, had speakers talk about the future of FireSmart across the country, FireSmart community success stories, climate change and the WUI, and much more.

Speakers and presentations

FireSmart and Municipal Fire Services

Larry Watkinson, Fire Chief – City of Penticton, and Dan Leighton, Retired Fire Chief – District of Logan Lake, give a talk on the structural fire department experiences with FireSmart.

Cultural and Prescribed Fire in BC

Rory Colwell, Superintendent Fuels Management for the BC Wildfire Service, and Peter Hisch, Forest Fuel Management Specialist for the First Nations Emergency Services Society give a talk on the role and importance of Cultural and Prescribed Fire in BC.

FireSmart BC and Social Media

Andrew Hansen, the President of Site Partners, gives a talk on how FireSmart BC utilizes Social Media to help achieve their goals

Rebate Program Overview

Ryan Thoms, the Manager of Emergency Services for the qathet Regional District, Steve Vatcher, the Deputy Fire Chief for the Lake Cowichan Fire Department, and Lacy Scuffi, the Forestry Initiatives Coordinator for the City of Quesnel give a talk on managing rebate programs.

Home Partners Program

Joel Hamilton, Wildfire Mitigation Supervisor – Regional District Central Kootenay, and Lindsay King, FireSmart Educator – Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, give a talk on the Home Partners Program.

The Future of FireSmart

Amanda Reynolds of FireSmart BC, Chris Hodder of the BC Wildfire Service, and Ray Ault of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center have a discussion on the future of FireSmart.

Climate Change and the WUI

Dana Hicks, the Acting Fire Science Officer for BC Public Service, and Kelly Osbourne, the Fire and Fuel Management Officer for BC Wildfire Service, give a talk on climate change and the wildland-urban interface.

Successful Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Projects

Anita de Dreu, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Scott Rogers, FireSmart Supervisor, Protective Services, Resort Municipality of Whistler, Catherine Morrison, Manager, Emergency Services, Regional District of Nanaimo, and Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator, Strathcona Regional District, give a talk on Successful Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Projects.

FireSmart Canada Updates

Laura King, the National communications advisor for FireSmart Canada, and Kelly Johnston, FireSmart Canada, give a talk on FireSmart Canada updates.

Kelly Osbourne: Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committees