UPDATED May 4, 2024
FIRESMART DAY KEEPS GETTING BETTER EVERY YEAR.
The event was hosted John Martin, Casa Loma FireSmart coordinator. Speakers this year were Mayor Milsom and Chief Brolund.
FireSmart leader for FireSmart is Bryce Sterling. Bryce explained the safety zones around the perimeter of a home and what to do to protect your home and family.
UPDATED OCTOBER 20, 2023
THE FIRE WARDEN APPRECIATION DAY WAS A SUCCESS!
It was good to meet all the Fire Wardens and applaud their good work! On a cool day between rain clouds, the sun broke through a little.
Fire Wardens, again THANK YOU, for helping Casa Loma through the McDougall Creek Fire alert.
CASA LOMA
This event was supported by the Neighbourhood Small Grants
UPDATED JULY 15, 2023
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS DAY 2023. Was held Saturday July 8th at 11 am at Dupuis Park.
A great day for the event.
Your Community Emergency Liaison, John Martin along the NEW West Kelowna Fire and Rescue FireSmart Coordinator Bryce Stirling led the Fire Smart and Evacuation event.
Bryce is now our contact with the FireSmart Program .
Bryce brings many years of experience and knowledge to the Fire Smart Program.
Topics included were.
FireSmart Prevention For Your Home
Fire Wardens in Casa Loma
Emergency Plans
Evacuation Procedures
Grab and Go Bags
Returning Home
John Martin spoke about the Casa Loma FireSmart program and the effort of the neighbourhood volunteer Fire Wardens. John also relayed the Fire Warden roles during an event to the audience.
As the event was more than just FireSmart, John Martin and Bryce Stirling also spoke about Evacuation Preparedness. they were quite detailed in what we should be doing to prepare ourselves in case of an evacuation.
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A review of the differences between “alerts” and “orders”;
Evacuation Alert – stay in place and await further notice. Physically challenged residents should consider leaving now.
Tactical Evacuation – Immediate Danger leave now. No warning.
Evacuation Order – Leave immediately. Prior warning of threat.
Always listen to direction from emergency services. Remember, it could be possible that the exit you want to use is blocked.
Go to the FireSmart and Evacuation further on in our web page.
A couple of Quick Links
· The Federal Emergency Preparedness guide
o https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx
· Know your hazards in your community
o https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards
· Build your Emergency kit
FIRESMART and EVACUATION
This summer has seen many of us watching the province’s forest fire situation. Some of us, or our family members, may have be on evacuation alert or worse, they have had to evacuate.
The CLCA has been working with the CWK and the province of BC to implement the FireSmart program to help with emergency preparedness. Our Community Emergency Liaison has also been working with a large group of stakeholders to formulate an Official Evacuation Plan for our Casa Loma community that should be available soon.
To make these programs work we have a number of our neighbours volunteer to be “Fire Wardens”. The Wardens will, if they haven’t already, contact you to go over the programs and will be asking for some general information to assist emergency personnel if the need arises. Our pets are family too so that information will also be included. This information is not being shared with any third party and will only be used to distribute information important to our community.
If you have any further questions our inquiries about these programs please contact our Community Emergency Liaison, John Martin, at CLCAEmergency@gmail.com
Following are links on Emergency Preparedness.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The City of West Kelowna Central Okanagan Emergency Operations
https://www.westkelownacity.ca/en/our-community/emergency-preparedness.aspx
The Federal Emergency Preparedness guide
FireSmart
FIRESMART
The Provincial Government guide for FireSmart
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Casa Loma Resident Evacuation Map
Pocket Guide to Emergencies
Click on for your Mobile
Emergency Preparedness
App
West Kelowna FireSmart Grant Program Guidelines & Information
The goal of FireSmart is to encourage communities and citizens to adopt and conduct Fire Smart practices to mitigate the negative impacts of wildfire assets on public and private property.
The City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, in partnership with the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program, is offering funding to help property owners who demonstrate the use of FireSmart principles and initiatives to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and community.
This project may be subject to change in the future. Residents, community associations, and strata properties within the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation are eligible to apply.
To apply for your grant go to:
https://www.westkelownacity.ca/en/our-community/firesmart.aspx