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By Sam Bennison

Wildfires

New wildfire recruitment strategy looks to build a safer 2024 fire season

Jan 25, 2024 | 6:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— With almost 3 million hectares of forest lost the 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive in B.C.’s recorded history. Ahead of the 2024 season the Province is opening the door for more wildland firefighters with in-depth knowledge of local terrain to join the service.

“Climate change causes hotter and longer fire seasons, so the demand for skilled firefighters with local knowledge has never been higher,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “By expanding our hiring process to bring in more highly trained professionals, especially in rural communities, we will be more effective at responding to wildfires when and where they happen.”

With feedback from the Premier’s expert task force on emergencies, a series of enhancements have been made to strengthen pathways for participation in wildfire response, specifically for applicants in rural and remote communities. This work includes expanding First Nations boot camps, extending the hiring period for new recruits and encouraging applicants to indicate work location preference.

“People living in First Nations, rural and remote communities bear a disproportionate impact from the rising threat of wildfires,” said Wayne Schnitzler, task force member and executive director of First Nations’ Emergency Services Society. “I’m pleased to see the Province is boosting recruitment initiatives, including expanding First Nations bootcamps as recommended by the Premier’s expert task force on emergencies. These initiatives break down barriers and pave the way for increased participation of Indigenous peoples as wildland firefighters.”

After the success of a pilot project in the Cariboo Fire Centre, a dedicated training and recruitment model for First Nations communities is being expanded. The First Nation boo camp will now also be offered in the Coastal Fire Centre in spring 2024. These dedicated sessions address needs heard from communities, build local capacity, strengthen relationships between the local First Nation and fire centre, and improve response to wildfires.

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Learnings from First Nations bootcamps will be adopted into the B.C. Wildfire Service core curriculum and serve as a model for other First Nations interested in augmenting their response capacity. Additionally, the use of Indigenous initial-response crews is being expanded.

“It’s exciting to see the real-time changes and improvements,” said Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations for BC Wildfire Service. “The people in this organization are passionate and driven to make improvements in both what we do and how we do it. I’d like to particularly acknowledge the teams who have put in the time to pilot these initiatives and undertake all of these interviews. People are at the heart of what we do and I can’t wait to meet the new recruits joining the BC Wildfire Service team.”

This year, the BC Wildfire Service has shifted to longer, rolling application model over six months. This has allowed local teams to begin interviews earlier than ever, with more than 500 interviews for 2024 positions already complete.

People who are interested in learning more about becoming a BC Wildfire Service crew member may apply until March 31, 2024. Additionally, applicants are invited to indicate their first, second and third choice of work location from the outset. For more information, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/WildfireFighters

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com