WMS of the Month

1) Where do you live and what geographical area do you cover? I live on southern Vancouver Island where I am the FireSmart Coordinator and Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with View Royal Fire Rescue in which I oversee the FireSmart Program for the Town of View Royal. In addition to overseeing the FireSmart program, I am also a Paid-On-Call Firefighter with View Royal Fire Rescue.

2) How long have you been a WMS? I started as the FireSmart Coordinator with View Royal Fire Rescue in July 2024 and completed my Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Certification in September 2024.

3) What made you decide that you wanted to be a WMS and support homeowners on how to become FireSmart?

I became interested in FireSmart and wanted to become a WMS due to the increasing severity and impact of wildfires in our province and the opportunity to help make our community more resilient to wildfire. Becoming a WMS provided me with the knowledge and ability to assist homeowners to prepare for wildfire and help reduce the risk of wildfire to their property.

FireSmart is a well supported, trusted and scientifically proven program that has been adopted throughout the province. I am grateful and proud to be part of a program that is committed making our communities more resilient to wildfire.

 

4) What would you say are your 2 biggest challenges as a WMS?

Awareness - Gaining initial awareness on the program locally can take time. However, through leveraging the great resources available through FireSmart BC to help educate homeowners on the risks of wildfire to their property and what easy steps homeowners can take to make their homes more resilient to wildfire, awareness and engagement on the program grew quickly.

 

Relevancy in the Fall and Winter - In the fall and winter seasons, the focus around wildfire risk decreases and with this wildfire resiliency can become less of a priority for homeowners. Continuing to stay connected with the community during the fall and winter through ongoing communication, information sessions/community events, fall cleanups/chipping events and through promoting the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Program Incentive and Community Wildfire Resiliency Day Award in February, helped to keep homeowners and communities engaged.

5) What are some of your successes with the FireSmart program?

One of the greatest successes with the FireSmart program has been the growing support from the community. Through regularly requested Wildfire Mitigation Program Assessments, Neighbourhood Recognition Program Assessments and FireSmart Information Sessions, the local community has been very supportive of the program.

 

Other successes with the program have included the great teamwork within our Community FireSmart and Resiliency Collaborative (CFRC), the completion of our Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) and the development of a curbside mobile chipping program for View Royal residents to help remove debris from their properties and improve their home’s resiliency to wildfire.

6) What has been your favourite project/event you have done with your local FireSmart Program? There have been several great initiatives and events that our FireSmart program has been fortunate to be a part of. One of them was the opportunity to host the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) Course. After starting as the FireSmart Coordinator, I was looking to complete my WMS Certification. There were no WMS Courses available anywhere in the province at the time. I connected with Ryan Moreside (WMS Course Instructor) and offered to host the 3-day course at the View Royal Fire Department. Ryan was happy to assist. I reached out to other fire departments across southern Vancouver Island and the course quickly filled up. It was a great opportunity to develop relationships and collaborate with representatives from other districts. By hosting the course, not only was I able to become a certified WMS myself, but I was also able to help 13 representatives from 9 other districts across southern Vancouver Island become certified WMSs as well. It felt great to be able to provide an opportunity for other representatives to complete their WMS Certification and help support neighbouring communities mitigate their risk of wildfire.

7) What advice would you give to other WMSs?

Develop Relationships - Cultivate relationships within your community. This is important when initially building your program. Connect with community partners and agencies to help grow your program and find champions within the community to help amplify your messages to other homeowners.

 

Continue to Learn - There is a lot to learn about the program initially. Try not to get overwhelmed. Take time to utilize the resources available through FireSmart BC. Don't get discouraged if your initial approaches don't work. Be patient. Utilize the collective knowledge and experience from your Community FireSmart and Resiliency Collaborative, the FireSmart BC Team and other partners. Once your program is up and running, continue to learn to develop your knowledge to further assist homeowners in your community.

8) What is your favourite aspect of the FireSmart BC website? The FireSmart BC website has an amazing collection of resources including toolkits, guides, infographics, and videos. One area of the FireSmart BC website that I regularly direct homeowners to and has been a favourite of mine is The FireSmart BC Landscaping Hub which includes a great plant tool and helpful landscaping tips. The new Wildfire Mitigation Program platform has also quickly evolved with new enhancements being regularly implemented by Attila Banhegyi (Technical Coordinator) and the Development Team. I am very grateful for the tireless efforts by the FireSmart BC Team and the incredible wealth of information they are able to provide to support everyone involved with the FireSmart program.

1) Where do you live and what geographical area do you cover? I live in Port Alberni, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Tseshaht First Nation and cover Tseshaht First Nation reserves. My role focuses on wildfire mitigation efforts across forests, interface zones, and residential areas.

2) How long have you been a WMS? I have been a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) for about a year and a half, working closely with TFN and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.

3) What made you decide that you wanted to be a WMS and support homeowners and neighbourhoods on how to become FireSmart? I became a WMS because I saw firsthand the increasing wildfire risks in our region and the need for proactive community engagement. My background in emergency management reinforced my belief that wildfire preparedness must be a shared responsibility. FireSmart provides practical, community-driven solutions, and I wanted to be part of that movement to protect homes, families, and cultural landscapes.

4) What would you say are your two biggest challenges as a WMS?

• Community Engagement & Buy-In: Encouraging long-term participation can be challenging, as some homeowners underestimate wildfire risk or find mitigation work overwhelming.
• Funding & Resources: Accessing funding for FireSmart initiatives, equipment, and training can sometimes be a hurdle, especially in remote or under-resourced areas.

5) What are some of your successes with the FireSmart program?

• One of the biggest successes has been completing wildfire mitigation work around critical infrastructure, including Haahuupayak School and our administration building. It’s been great to see increasing community buy-in for mitigation efforts, especially around important spaces like our Youth Centre, Cultural Centre, and family Centre.
• Another highlight has been the growing interest from community members who have started asking about FireSmart home assessments and how they can apply the same mitigation strategies to their own properties. Seeing that shift—where people are not only aware of the risks but also motivated to take action—has been really rewarding.

6) What has been your favourite project/event you have done with your local FireSmart Program? One of my favorite projects was the wildfire mitigation work at Haahuupayak School, where we collaborated with the school administration to create a safer environment for students and staff. This project involved fuel reduction efforts around the school grounds, including clearing hazardous vegetation and improving defensible space. It was rewarding to contribute to protecting an important cultural and educational space while strengthening wildfire resilience in the community.

7) What advice would you give to other WMSs?

• Build relationships. Work closely with local leaders, fire departments, and community members to create trust and long-term engagement.
• Keep messaging simple. Wildfire mitigation can seem complex, but breaking it down into actionable steps makes it more accessible to homeowners.
• Celebrate small wins. Every FireSmart action counts—acknowledging progress keeps momentum going.

8) What is your favourite aspect of the FireSmart BC website? I appreciate the resources and toolkits available on the FireSmart BC website. The homeowner guides, interactive assessments, and educational videos make it easy to share information and empower residents to take proactive steps toward wildfire resilience. The FireSmart Guide to Landscaping is also a favourite of mine!

1) Darryl Adrian has 28 years of experience in emergency management, serving with the BCWS, FNESS, MoF, and the Lillooet Tribal Council. As the Emergency Management Coordinator, he facilitates coordination among local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as the six St’at’imc communities. Darryl prioritizes transparent communication, collaboration, and leveraging local resources to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. He ensures training is accessible to all, including those with learning barriers, fostering community engagement and safe spaces for dialogue.

 

A wildfire mitigation specialist, Darryl integrates FireSmart practices into communities through the seven disciplines, promoting fire-resilient landscapes and infrastructure. He respects Indigenous knowledge and bridges connections between St’at’imc communities and government stakeholders, strengthening partnerships. His innovative approach includes using technologies like RPAS/UAVs and interactive online dashboards to enhance community resilience and environmental protection.

Known for his humility, integrity, and dedication, Darryl is a trusted leader committed to empowering the communities he serves. Affiliated with the Lillooet Tribal Council, he collaborates with local and provincial agencies, including the District of Lillooet, Regional District, BCWS, MOTI, FireSmart BC, HPP, FNESS, and neighboring nations, ensuring consistent emergency messaging. Darryl’s work exemplifies a lifelong commitment to community safety, resilience, and wildfire mitigation.

2) Where do you live and what geographical area do you cover? I live in Lillooet BC, born and raised in the remote community, Seton Portage. I support all members within the northern St'at'imc territory.

3) How long have you been a WMS? I first completed WMS with Joel, here in Lillooet, June 2023.

4) What made you decide that you wanted to be a WMS and support homeowners and neighbourhoods on how to become FireSmart? As a firefighting responder, travelling the province and across the nation, I learned that a lot of our communities were not properly prepared for emergency situations. The more I saw this over the years, the more I felt like I needed to do something more by sharing my knowledge and experiences and introducing FireSmart practices.

5) What would you say are your 2 biggest challenges as a WMS? Two main challenges include the better understanding of what home insurance companies participated in and what that might look like. The other challenge is trying to convince homeowners and communities to practice FireSmart activities all year and not just during the summer and or when there is a forest fire threatening.

6) What are some of your successes with the FireSmart program? Completing several educational and awareness events, in collaboration with neighboring nations and communities. Completing in school; High School and Elementary School education sharing events, completing an awareness video in collaboration with FNESS, Firesmart BC, District of Lillooet and a community leader. Overall, I feel like in the past 5 years of me in my role, my geographic area members are more aware and educated now and have begun FireSmart activities on their own instead of waiting for a community event.

7) What has been your favourite project/event you have done with your local FireSmart Program? Engaging the youth at the schools and creating the short educational video for me has been the highlight and I cannot wait to do this again. Also, working with FNESS and FireSmart BC, and HPP namely Dan Stevens, Kate Tudoruk, Amanda Reynolds and Ryan and Joel WMS.

8) What advice would you give to other WMSs? Share your experiences, get to know your clients and or community members, hear their stories. Be patient.

9) What is your favourite aspect of the FireSmart BC website? The available resources, including posters and videos, training materials. But also, the FireSmart stories, listening to people's stories and what they endured and how they overcame their challenges in wildfire mitigation.

1) Where do you live and what geographical area do you cover? I'm based in Trail, located in Southeast B.C., where I oversee the FireSmart Program across seven municipalities and five electoral areas within the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).

2) How long have you been a WMS I currently work as the Emergency Program and FireSmart Coordinator for the RDKB and have been a WMS for 3 years.

3) What made you decide that you wanted to be a WMS and support homeowners and neighbourhoods on how to become FireSmart? Having grown up in British Columbia, I've seen the growing threat of wildfires firsthand. My initial introduction to FireSmart was back in 2017 when I worked with a Structure Protection Crew at the Elephant Hill fire. Witnessing the destruction caused by the wildfires was a real eye-opener. That experience fueled my desire to protect our beautiful landscapes and communities. There's a strong community-driven spirit here, and the opportunity to educate and empower homeowners aligns perfectly with my passion for public safety and environmental stewardship.

4) What would you say are your 2 biggest challenges as a WMS? Engagement and Education: It's sometimes challenging to engage homeowners who are either unaware or skeptical of the wildfire risks. More specifically large private or commercial landowners who are difficult to reach and/or may not have the resources to mitigate the risks, reduce the fuels on their land or feel it is their responsibility to do so. Resource Allocation: With limited resources, prioritizing areas that need the most help can be difficult and requires strategic planning.

5) What are some of your successes with the FireSmart program? My amazing team! We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have passionate and dedicated champions of FireSmart. With a team of only 3 WMS over our large geographic region, we completed over 600 WMP assessments and attended over 100 community events in the last 2 years. We've increased community participation significantly, with more residents receiving home assessments, and the recent launch of our residential rebate program has increased proactivity for their mitigation efforts. The establishment of our Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee (CFRC) emphasizes that FireSmart is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved—committee members, provincial and local partners, senior management, and elected officials—plays a crucial role in building a wildfire-resilient community. Managing a regional CFRC results in a diverse and extensive group, which provides a platform to collaborate, exchange ideas, and share insights effectively. Although the table can get a little large at times this collective effort enhances our capacity to develop strategies that address the unique wildfire challenges faced by our communities.

6) What has been your favourite project/event you have done with your local FireSmart Program? Being a regional FireSmart Coordinator (FSC), it's tough to pick just one favourite project or event, but a few really stand out. One highlight was co-hosting a big community clean-up at Big White this past summer. We teamed up with the local fire department, Big White Resort staff, local businesses, FireSmart BC, Site Partners, and BCWS for a community-wide clean-up and chipping event, plus a FireSmart and Emergency Preparedness workshop. The resident turnout and enthusiasm were super rewarding. Another was launching the province's first FireSmart on Wheels Trailer. This trailer aids our WMS in educating community members about wildfire preparedness and boosts our FireSmart efforts in schools and communities. Finally, making our RDKB FireSmart Video in 2022 was a blast. I was thrilled with the final product—even though it was a ton of work, it was a fun project to be involved in.

7) What advice would you give to other WMSs? Build strong relationships with community leaders, and neighbouring FireSmart Programs (FSC, WMS, LFRs)—they're invaluable allies. Keep an open mind and share your successes and challenges; each community is unique, get to know the people in the communities you represent, understand their needs, and the best way to engage with them. We all have different challenges and demographics, but we share a common goal, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Secondly, stay patient and persistent; change in perception and behaviour around wildfire risk doesn't happen overnight, but every bit of progress is significant.

8) What is your favourite aspect of the FireSmart BC website? The comprehensive resources available, from assessment tools to informative guides, make it an amazing resource for both specialists and residents seeking to improve their wildfire readiness. More specifically, I would have to say the Landscaping Hub and the community success stories section are inspiring and emphasize the impact of the FireSmart program initiatives across our province.