Who we are
The FireSmart program in BC is directed by the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC), a group composed of the agencies below. The BCFSC’s goal is to collaboratively maintain and improve the delivery of the FireSmart BC program to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation in BC. They do this by ensuring alignment with the seven FireSmart disciplines. In meeting their purpose they commit to aligning with FireSmart Canada, developing an annual work plan and budget and providing stakeholders and interested parties with one governing organization for FireSmart in BC.
BCFSC committee members
The BCFSC consists of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC (FCABC), Emergency Management BC (EMBC), Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of BC (FNESS), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), BC Parks, Parks Canada and Ministry of Forests - Regional Operations.
British Columbia Wildfire Service
The BC Wildfire Service is tasked with managing wildfires through a combination of wildfire prevention, mitigation and suppression strategies, on both Crown and private lands outside of organized areas such as local governments or regional districts. While the BC Wildfire Service is mandated to mitigate the impacts of wildfire on life and assets, particularly forests and grasslands, it gives high priority to fuel management and wildfire suppression in interface areas where communities and forests come together.Wildfire seasons are longer, wildfires are more frequent and fire behaviour is more intense. In order to combat the change in our wildfire situation provincially, FireSmart needs to be embraced as a shared responsibility. The BC FireSmart Committee is leading the charge for FireSmart in B.C. and the BC Wildfire Service is committed to lending our support and helping the BC FireSmart Committee achieve their vision.
Forest Enhancement Society of BC
In addition to advocating for the environmental and resource stewardship of B.C.’s forests, FESBC is tasked with preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires, improving damaged or low-value forests, improving habitat for wildlife, supporting the use of fibre from damaged and low value forests, and treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases.The BC FireSmart Committee is providing crucial leadership at a provincial level to help mitigate the impact of wildfire in BC Communities. This work not only aligns with FESBC purposes and the mandate we have received from the Minister but is also work that we feel passionate about. We are proud to be a part of the FireSmart Committee and see it as an example of what can be achieved when everyone works together.
Union of BC Municipalities
The Union of BC Municipalities provides a common voice for local governments in British Columbia. UBCM’s mandate is to advocate on behalf of BC local governments and member First Nations for the development and implementation of legislation, regulation, policies and programs that support the membership’s common interests. UBCM also delivers numerous provincially and federally funded grant programs that support B.C.’s local governments.Local governments and First Nations are on the front lines of emergency preparedness and response, for wildfire, floods and other disasters. We all have an vested interest in making our communities more resilient. For nearly two decades, through the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative and now the Community Resiliency Investment program, UBCM has administered funding programs that serve to reduce wildfire threat through forest fuel management and increase community awareness and engagement in wildfire prevention activities and FireSmart practices.
Emergency Management BC
EMBC is the provincial government’s lead coordinating agency for all emergency management and business continuity activities. Under the authorities of the Emergency Program Act and guided by the British Columbia Emergency Management System, we provide executive coordination, strategic planning, and multi-agency facilitation in an increasingly complex emergency management environment. We strive to develop effective relationships through working with local authorities, First Nations, provincial ministries and auxiliary agencies, federal departments, industry, non-government organizations and volunteers to support all phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. EMBC also engages national and international partners to enhance collective emergency preparedness.What we have seen over the past few years, with wildfire seasons are longer, wildfires are more frequent and fire behaviour being more intense affecting populated geographic areas Fire Smart is increasingly more important to help communities mitigate the effects of Wildfire. EMBC is committed to the BC Firesmart committee and lending support and helping achieve the vision that the committee has and working with communities in this effort.
British Columbia Office of the Fire Commissioner
The Office of the Fire Commissioner is a leader in fire safety awareness and prevention in British Columbia. It has earned the trust of British Columbians by offering: Progressive advice about fire safety, Innovative recommendations about fire prevention, Collaborative communication with the fire services in the province. In addition, the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC): Advises provincial government agencies on broad fire safety issues, Is a liaison between the provincial government and the fire service providing advice on all fire safety and prevention matters, Reviews and monitors a broad scope fire safety issues throughout B.C. to ensure that consistent advice and recommendations are provided to the public to increase fire safety awarenessThe OFC, as liaison with the fire services in the province, can help the BC FireSmart Committee with efforts to better prepare British Columbians for wildfires. Understanding that wildland fires can quickly spread from the forest and become interface fires, the OFC is committed to efforts that reduce the risk to people, property and communities.
FireSmart Canada
FireSmart™ Canada is a program of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. CIFFC became the owner of the FireSmart Canada brand in 2021. The history of FireSmart Canada goes back to 1990 when a committee was established to address common concerns about wildfire in the wildland urban interface, where wildlands and human development come together.FireSmart Canada leads the development of resources and programs designed to empower the public and increase neighbourhood resilience to wildfire across Canada. Leveraging partnerships with a comprehensive network of leading wildland fire science researchers allows FireSmart Canada to develop programs and resources that are based on peer reviewed and defendable science.
First Nations' Emergency Services Society of British Columbia
FNESS works with First Nations in BC to support their communities in regards to safety of their communities through education, public awareness and training. FNESS works to support communities in three broad areas of wildfire prevention, structural fire and emergency management, also through resources and support from Provincial and Federal governments and agencies.FNESS supports First Nations communities with wildfire prevention, education, training and emergency management response and planning. Having a First Nations organization involved at this level through the BC FireSmart Committee ensures First Nation participation, engagement and access to resources and information in the area of wildfire prevention.
BC Parks
BC Parks, the third largest parks system in North America, is responsible for the designation, management and conservation of a system of ecological reserves, provincial parks, conservancies, protected areas and recreation areas located throughout the province. British Columbia’s parks and protected areas system contains nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural features and outdoor experiences. The provincial system of parks is dedicated to the protection of natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public. Our parks and protected areas are a public trust. As such, our mission is to protect representative and special natural places within the Province’s protected areas system for world class conservation, outdoor recreation, education and scientific study. BC Parks is committed to furthering FireSmart BC objectives and to serving British Columbians and their visitors by:- Protecting and managing for future generations a wide variety of outstanding park lands which represent the best natural features and diverse wilderness environments of the province.
- Providing province-wide opportunities for a diversity of high quality and safe outdoor recreation that is compatible with protecting the natural environment.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) partners with First Nations communities to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. ISCtransfers responsibility and control over lands, resources and the environment to Indigenous peoples and Northerners through land claim and self-government agreements and devolution to territorial governments. ISC also fulfills an important role in developing natural resources and protecting the environment in most First Nations communities and the territories. FireSmart builds skills in First Nations communities to prevent and prepare against wildland fires. FireSmart also leverages Indigenous knowledge of the local environment and terrain to improve emergency planning, preparation and response to wildfires. ISCs role on the BC FireSmart Committee is to represent Indigenous national interests and determine how they can best be addressed through the FireSmart BC program.
Parks Canada
Parks Canada protects a vast network of cultural and natural heritage places that include national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas and one national urban park. For decades, fire management has been an integral part of how Parks Canada protects many of these places. Parks Canada uses risk reduction programs and response planning to reduce the threat of wildfire to the public and infrastructure while maintaining the ecological health of protected ecosystems at the landscape scale. Parks Canada is proud to collaborate with the BC FireSmart Committee members to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation. Safety is always the top priority for Parks Canada in all fire management operations. Parks Canada works with provinces, territories, Indigenous and local communities to ensure appropriate wildfire readiness and response. We believe in sharing leadership and working with partners to achieve extraordinary results.
Ministry of Forests - Regional Operations
The Ministry of Forests - Regional Operations is responsible for the stewardship of provincial Crown land and ensures the sustainable management of forest, wildlife, water and other land-based resources. The Ministry works with Indigenous and rural communities to strengthen and diversify their economies. FireSmart principles have shown that they are effective at reducing the risk to life and property in the most extreme wildfire conditions, Regional Operations is committed to working with the BC FireSmart Committee to assist in developing activities that provide environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits to all British Columbians. This work directly contributes to the achievement of the Province’s goals of reconciliation, clean growth and a strong, sustainable economy.Meet the faces behind team FireSmart BC
Team FireSmart BC is the group of individuals who work day in and day out to further the BCFSC goals. They span the BC Wildfire Service, Fire Chiefs Association of BC and the Union of BC Municipalities and are your first point of contact for any questions you have about the FireSmart program.
Kelsey Winter
FireSmart Program Lead
Kelsey Winter
FireSmart Program Lead
Kelsey Winter is the FireSmart Program Lead for the BC Wildfire Service and the Chair of the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC). She has worked in wildfire for over ten years and has experience on the fireline, in operational and strategic communications and is now leading the development and implementation of FireSmart across British Columbia. As a member of the Community Resiliency Investment Program Management Committee she assists with the delivery of BC’s primary FireSmart funding program.
Kelsey has a Masters in Fire Ecology and a Masters in Natural Resources; she is also a Student of Fire with the International Association of Wildland Fire. Her thesis work focused on the human dimensions of FireSmart and barriers to entry for emergency preparedness. Kelsey has been involved with FireSmart since 2014 when she became a FireSmart Provincial Liaison for BC.
Amanda Reynolds
FireSmart Education Officer
Amanda Reynolds
FireSmart Education Officer
Amanda Reynolds works as a Fire Smart Education Officer for the BC Wildfire Service. Prior to joining BCWS, Amanda was a high school teacher in Vancouver. Amanda has been with BCWS for 5 years, one of her early roles was a Communications Specialist. In her Communications role she spent a significant amount of time interacting with the public, particularly during the 2017/2018 fire seasons. During those seasons, Amanda noticed a common thread in her conversations with the public: they wanted to help and do whatever was needed to make sure their families, homes and communities were resilient to the threat of wildfire. After the 2018 fire season Amanda went to Fort McMurray to attend a FireSmart Conference, her first big exposure to the world of prevention and FireSmart.
Following that exposure, Amanda expressed interest in developing a FireSmart education kit for K-12, which was completed in April of 2019. Ultimately though Amanda’s time with BCWS and her background in education, she has realized her passion lies within public education, prevention of wildfire and building resilient communities. Amanda is excited to share her passion and knowledge with workshop participants to help foster and grow the FireSmart message across BC and ultimately Canada.
Janet Ford
FireSmart Coordinator
Janet Ford
FireSmart Coordinator
Janet Ford is the FireSmart Coordinator for the BC Wildfire Service and has been with the FireSmart Program for 3.5 years. Janet has 14 years of experience working with Wildfire TEAMS (Temporary Emergency Management System) on the fireline in the logistics and planning capacities. It is for this reason that Janet is passionate about the FireSmart program and getting the FireSmart messaging out to the public.
In her role as the FireSmart Coordinator position, Janet is responsible for the FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition Program, receiving and screening the applications and working with the Provinces Licenced FireSmart Representatives (LFR’s) to promote the program within their communities. She is also responsible for engaging nurseries and growers across the province in the Plant Tagging Initiative to bring the FireSmart messaging to the public at the retail level, and for the development and purchasing of the FireSmart branded promotional items for the Provincial Fire Centres and the BC FireSmart Committee members.
Janet’s background is all related to Provincial Forestry programs including the Provincial Forest Districts and Regions issuing Cutting Permits and Licences for Small Scale Salvage and Major Licencees, contracting tree planters, working closely with farmers and ranchers on grazing tenures, and liaison with Compliance and Enforcement. Prior to moving to BCWS in a full-time capacity, Janet worked with Mountain Resorts Branch and the 34 major Provincial ski resorts with their Master Development and Operating Agreements to issue new licences and leases on their infrastructure and expansions on Crown Land.
Lynn Eileen
BC FireSmart Committee Coordinator
Lynn Eileen
BC FireSmart Committee Coordinator
Lynn joined the FireSmart team in May of 2022. In her role, Lynn provides executive level administrative support to the BC FireSmart Committee, the FireSmart BC Standing Committees, and the FireSmart BC staff team. As a first point of contact, Lynn can be found working closely with the public from all over BC to ensure they are able to access a wide range of tools and resources that promote FireSmart awareness for individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities.
Lynn has a degree from UBC and brings a skillset developed from working in executive level offices, local government, and customer service roles. Lynn’s passion is community health and views the FireSmart program as a way of bringing communities together with a focus on preventative actions and awareness that foster wildfire prevention.
Joel Hamilton
FireSmart Home Partners Program Provincial Coordinator
Joel Hamilton
FireSmart Home Partners Program Provincial Coordinator
Joel Hamilton is the FireSmart Home Partners Program (HPP) Provincial Coordinator with FireSmart BC and the Fire Chiefs Association of BC (FCABC). He also supports and sits on the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC).
Joel’s background in fire response began with Parks Canada, serving in their Fire Management/Resource Conservation branch. He occupied numerous roles including Initial attack Crew Member, Crew Leader, Wildfire Technician and various positions on a type-1 National Incident Management Team (NIMT). During this time he also served on his local volunteer fire department and search and rescue teams. More recently, employed by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) as Wildfire Mitigation Supervisor, Joel oversaw the region's FireSmart program, landscape level fuel treatment portfolio, public and stakeholder engagement and supported the Regional Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during times of emergency response.
In his role with FireSmart BC and the FCABC, Joel provides project management and coordination to the FireSmart HPP, supporting Local Government and First Nations implement FireSmart programs and practices within their regions. He provides local authorities with the appropriate training, strategies and customizable engagement assets to help foster long-term behavioral changes in homeowners, measurably reducing their risk posed by wildfire. Joel's interest and experience in wildfire science and wildfire response has given rise to his passion for working with communities becoming more resilient to wildfire.
Helena Marken
FireSmart Analyst
Helena Marken
FireSmart Analyst
Helena Marken is a FireSmart Analyst for the BC Wildfire Service. She has worked with BC Wildfire Service for the past seven years, on the fireline and assisting with operational communications mainly in the Cariboo and Kamloops Fire Centres. During her years in suppression, she spent a lot of time working with and near rural communities. She saw how capable and driven these communities were to protect their lands, and how necessary preventative FireSmart principles are to make BC a wildfire resilient province. With these experiences, she wanted to get involved with FireSmart to help protect communities.
In her FireSmart Analyst role she supports the FireSmart team by preparing research, presentations, and communications for their projects to help deliver FireSmart programming to BC. Helena is also currently finishing the last course for her Bachelor of Natural Resource Science. Helena is excited to apply her wildfire experience and formal education to help improve wildfire resiliency in our province.
Marcus Cowan
CRI Co-op student
Marcus Cowan
CRI Co-op student
Marcus Cowan is a co-op student with FireSmart BC working on the Community Resiliency Investment Program over the summer of 2022. His work is focused on compiling and presenting data from past program years to assist with reporting and continuous program improvement.
Marcus attends Simon Fraser University as a third-year Mathematical Physics Honours Student. He hopes to pursue a future career in particle physics or cosmology research. Marcus is excited to work on the Community Resiliency Investment Program as it presents an opportunity to use his knowledge of data analysis, statistics and mathematics to contribute to the protection of BC’s communities from wildfire.
Sierra Winnitoy
FireSmart Ambassador
Sierra Winnitoy
FireSmart Ambassador
Sierra Winnitoy is co-op student with the BC Wildfire Service working as a FireSmart Ambassador for the summer. She is based out of the South Island Zone and reports to Susan Eliuk Wildfire Tech who leads Prevention. She is in her third year at UVic studying Sociology and Philosophy and hopes to attend law school after finishing her bachelor’s degree. She grew up on Vancouver Island, spending her summers camping and enjoying BC’s beautiful forests. This encouraged her to work with the wildfire service to do her part to protect these forests and help people learn how to apply FireSmart to make their communities more wildfire resilient.
In her role as a FireSmart Ambassador she hopes to deliver FireSmart education to a wide range of audiences across the Coastal Fire Centre and connect with local community members to increase awareness of FireSmart and its importance.
FireSmart careers
We’re always looking for great people to work with our collaborative team across Canada. So if you’re on the lookout for a rewarding career that can have a real impact in Canadian communities, you’ve come to the right place.
Learn more