Emergency wildfire training opportunities

Press release –

VICTORIA – British Columbia will pay up to 750 unemployed workers to take wildfire suppression training to enhance the Province’s capacity to fight and contain forest fires, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“This is a great opportunity for First Nations, unemployed forest workers and other individuals to upgrade their skills and experience,” said Bell. “Residents of rural communities understand the threat that wildfires pose. They want to be part of the solution and we want to make sure they have the training to stay safe if called upon to protect homes, businesses, and the forest resource they depend on.”

The Emergency Firefighter Training program will pay qualified individuals $15 per hour to take the S-100 Basic Fire Suppression and Safety training course that prepares individuals to become emergency firefighters. The two-day course is a comprehensive introduction to wildfire suppression work and combines classroom theory with a hands-on field component.

Once trained, individuals with a valid S-100 certificate can be placed on an availability list to assist fire centres and fire suppression contractors in the event that existing resources are fully deployed and additional contingency firefighting resources are needed. When deployed, emergency firefighters earn $15 per hour and typically perform mop-up, patrols, camp demobilization and other support functions under the supervision of experienced personnel.

“The fire season has hit harder and earlier than average and our fire crews have been working extremely hard to put the flames out,” said Bell. “We’re taking an opportunity to be proactive and provide unemployed workers with the skills to help fight fires should we face the need in the coming months.”

To maximize the availability of trained individuals for the current fire season, the training is expected to start as early as the week of July 6. Training will be delivered in regions across the province, with the most likely locations near the existing fire centres in Parksville, Kamloops, Castlegar, Prince George, Smithers, and Williams Lake. The list of communities will be adjusted to best accommodate the number and location of applicants. Additional course dates and locations will be considered if there is sufficient demand.

The training program is expected to cost $250,000 and will be coordinated by the Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch. Further details and application information for the Emergency Firefighter Training program are available at www.bcwildfire.ca.

The public reports nearly half of all wildfires in B.C. Please continue to report smoke and flames by calling toll-free 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.

Press release
June 30, 2009
Ministry of Forests and Range

Backgrounder

Wildfire Management Branch Firefighter (Type 1):

Type 1 crews consist of highly trained, skilled firefighters employed directly by the Wildfire Management Branch. They are the first on-scene at a wildfire and deployed rapidly to all types of situations, regardless of the state of control or fire class intensity. They are used in the most hazardous or complex conditions involving steep, difficult terrain, and extreme fire behaviour (Rank 3 or higher).

Crew members receive extensive training each year and must be fully capable of demonstrating fire behaviour knowledge, fire management tactics, fireline equipment use, fireline organization, communications, air operations, and orienteering. All crew members must also meet the national physical fitness requirements. New recruits must attend a seven-day bootcamp that involves classroom and field training. For safety reasons and to maximize knowledge transfer, new recruits are assigned to experienced crews.

The Ministry of Forests and Range employs 956 Type 1 firefighters, who are considered among the best in the world. Given the highly specialized skills and experience required of Type 1 firefighters, the Wildfire Management Branch can request additional Type 1 firefighters from other jurisdictions in Canada under the Mutual Aid and Resource Sharing Agreement.

Contract Firefighter (Type 2):

Type 2 firefighters are called to assist with wildfires that have lower intensity and present a lower risk to firefighter safety. These crews perform initial attack and sustained action on smouldering fires (Rank 1) and sustained action on low fire behaviour fires (Rank 2). Typically, they are used in wildfires that are considered to be contained, under control, or in mop-up stage.

Crew members must have some fireline experience, meet basic physical fitness standards, and have completed the S-100 Basic Fire Suppression training and other safety courses such as Level 1 first aid and transportation of dangerous goods. The Ministry of Forests and Range has access to the services of approximately 500 to 800 Type 2 firefighters through commercial fire suppression contractors.

Emergency Firefighter (Type 3):

Type 3 firefighters are a contingency resource, typically trained up and called to action when other firefighting resources are exhausted. These firefighters require close supervision and they typically perform mop-up, patrols, camp demobilization and other support functions.

Type 3 firefighters must understand the difficult working conditions involved in fire suppression and be in good physical health. They must also complete the two-day S-100 Basic Fire Suppression and Safety training course.

For more information, please visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.