On January 9, 2024, Council voted unanimously to create a new role responsible for building and implementing a cohesive community FireSmart program.

The national FireSmart initiative is intended to increase wildfire resiliency and minimize negative impacts. Currently, FireSmart work is being done through Kamloops Fire Rescue and the Parks and Civic Facilities and Emergency Preparedness Divisions.

Starting in 2024, a FireSmart Coordinator or similar position is required to be eligible for Community Resiliency Investment program funding. The primary focus of this FireSmart position is to support eligible FireSmart activities and other activities related to emergency management, structural fire, and/or forestry, as long as the other activities are not more than 20% of their duties.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ Community Resiliency Investment program has been available since 2018 and has three funding streams:

• FireSmart Community Funding and Supports
• Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction
• FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund

Between 2019 and 2023, including funding that has not yet been allocated, the City will have received more than $1.1 million across all three of the Community Resiliency Investment program’s funding streams. This money has primarily been put towards forest fuel management efforts as outlined in the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

The responsibilities of the FireSmart Coordinator or similar position would include the following:

• organizing, planning, and participating in FireSmart education and fuel mitigation events
• coordinating and supporting property site visits to provide homeowners with FireSmart recommendations to reduce wildfire hazards
• facilitating FireSmart 101 sessions; attending community events to engage with the public and distribute information regarding the FireSmart principles
• creating a FireSmart working group and FireSmart committee
• seeking and administering FireSmart grant opportunities.

This position would ensure that FireSmart activities and grant funding streams are aligned and utilized in the best areas following provincial guidelines and the direction and policies provided by the City.

Funding for the new position will come from the working capital reserve for one year, and afterwards, the costs paid for through taxation.

Read the full report.