There’s a new fire brigade on the block – 18 community members are officially certified to help respond to wildfires in the Slocan Valley.
The crew was assembled by the newly formed Slocan Valley Watershed and Forest Protection Society (SVWFPS), created by Maggie Teiner and Karyn Shaundell to bring the community together to protect watersheds, forests, and one another.
The society’s inaugural meeting on March 2 was hugely successful, Shaundell told the Valley Voice, with over 100 residents attending the meeting. Many signed up not only to fight wildfires, but also to add their trades, heavy equipment, local knowledge, and other skills to a community resource database that can be called upon when an emergency arises.
One of the society’s first goals was to get a group together to take the S100 and S185 courses – basic fire suppression and safety training that allows volunteers to be deployed by and work under the direction of B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) in certain circumstances.
Shaundell said that during last summer’s wildfires, many residents with fire experience couldn’t help because they didn’t have the proper certification.
“Fire is so destructive, and so frightening, and so difficult to contain – and it can destroy so much,” she said. “People are feeling like they have to help protect one another. ... We wanted to make sure there were as many people certified to jump in at the onset of a fire.”
After two major fires in four years, residents of the Slocan Valley are rightfully afraid, she said. Forming the society was one way she could think of to assuage that fear.
“We’re so much stronger together,” she said.
The society was able to secure grants to fund the full cost of training for all participants and at the beginning of June, volunteers completed the courses, taught by Fall Line Forestry instructor Aliz Kovac.
“The crew that we made can go anywhere in the valley to help,” said Shaundell.
The society is planning to host public panel discussions in the near future. These events will focus on the health of the valley’s forests and watersheds in response to concerns shared by many residents.
“That was the reason behind [the society] – for the whole valley to stay in touch with the state of the forests and the watersheds, and to figure out together some positive directions to keep things good and make things better,” said Shaundell.
While initial grant funding has helped the society purchase basic gear and equipment to get started, it is still seeking additional support. Those interested in supporting SVWFPS’s efforts can reach out to slocanvalleywfps@gmail.com.
Shaundell said the society would like to thank Slocan Valley residents.
“We couldn’t have done this without you!"
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated training completed by the volunteers allows them to provide an initial attack on wildfires. The training in fact gives them the ability to be deployed by and work under the direction of B.C. Wildfire Service in certain circumstances. Also, the RDCK did not offer full support for the initiative, and it is unclear if the trainees will be assisting on possible wildfires this summer. The courses only allow the firefighters to be deployed in areas that are not currently covered by fire departments.
