F I R S T NAT IONS' S OCIETY OF B C. FNESS Quarterly Responder. FNESS Safety Message: Inside this issue: Special points of interest:

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1 F I R S T NAT IONS' E M E R GENCY S E RV I C E S S OCIETY OF B C Newsletter Date April 2017 Issue: 27 FNESS Quarterly Responder FNESS Safety Message: Kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of residential house fires. Be prepared with a properly mounted fire extinguisher in a visible location is ideally near an exit. Proper training is recommended before using a fire extinguisher. Remember: P.A.S.S. Inside this issue: FNESS Safety Message 1 Community Profile 2 Pull the Pin Aim nozzle at base of fire Squeeze the trigger Sweep the nozzle from side to side of fire Fire Services 4 Forest Fuel Management 5 Special points of interest: FortisBC Partnership with FNESS 2017 SWPI FiresSmart Planning Grant Program

2 Community Profile: Simpcw First Nation: Simpcw is working hard for their community members. The Fire Department and First Responders teamed up to conduct home safety inspections. Combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms and kitchen fire extinguishers were received through the FNESS program. This important safety equipment has now been installed in community homes. Wood burning furnaces and chimneys were inspected and cleaned. The necessary repairs on home heating equipment are now underway. Simpcw is busy with FireSmart and fuel reduction projects. Brush clearing, limbing of trees and hauling off of debris was done along Dunn Lake and Kenkeknem Roads. On April 4th, a Community Fire Safety Dinner was held. Fifty-five people enjoyed Indian Tacos with all the fixings and received an emergency safety kit to take home. People learned about the on-going fire safety projects for their homes, community buildings and forested areas. At the dinner, everyone was asked how they can get involved in community safety. The Chu Chua Volunteer Fire Department will be registering for the FNESS Safety Expo s Fire Fighter Competition and training being held in Vernon this June. Way to go Simpcw! Photo: Simpcw Fire Department

3 Community Profile: Penticton Indian Band Forest Fuel Management Profile by Shane Wardrobe, Forest Fuel Management liaison: The Penticton Indian Band (Sn pink tn) is located next to the town of Penticton in the Southern interior of British Columbia. The reserve lands stretch from Okanagan Lake in the North to Skaha Lake in the South and occupies the bench lands to the west of the city of Penticton with 3 reserves totaling 19,436.6 hectares. The current population is approximately 922 with over 500 living on reserve. Approximately half of the 46,000 acres owned by Penticton Indian band is covered by forest. In July 2009 the Penticton Indian Band Forestry Department created Sn pink tn Forestry LP to manage these forests. Sn pink tn Forestry LP, under the direction of Warren Houde TFT, General Manager manages reserve lands and forest licenses, and also looks after wildfire mitigation strategies. The Penticton Indian Band Sn pink tn Forestry LP has obtained funding from the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative (SWPI) by working with First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS) to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This plan covers wildfire mitigation strategies both on and off reserve land. Sn pink tn has followed through with these planning efforts by obtaining further funding from the SWPI program to develop prescriptions and carry out operational fuel management treatments. The Penticton Indian Band has also been involved with the Fire Smart Canada ( program. This program is directed at the individual home owner to help reduce the risk of a home ignition in the event of a wildfire. Penticton Indian Band has recently been recognized by Fire Smart Canada as a Fire Smart Community Photo: The Penticton Indian Band Snpinktn Forestry LP is active in the Fuel Management of their traditional territory; currently they have an application for a CWPP Update and are completing fuel Management Prescriptions. From Left to Right: Kyle Broome RPF Cabin Forestry; Shane Wardrobe, FNESS; and from Snpinktn Forestry, Warren Houde, TFT General Manager and Jenny Lee Allen, Silviculture & Safety Programs

4 Fire Services April has been a busy month for the Fire Services team. In addition to finalizing the end of fiscal year reports, the Fire Services team has worked together to develop the plan to deliver our programs for With the collaboration of Turtle Island Consulting Services, FNESS is engaging in updating and developing a new strategic plan for the organization. These activities will help the Fire Services department to have a new structure to engage more communities in fire safety and develop capacity within communities, and in FNESS. Our team is also excited to get ready for the FNESS Fire Safety Expo in June. Held this year in Vernon, this is one of the biggest annual events. As usual, the Safety Expo will include Firefighter Training, Provincial First Nations Firefighters Competition, and the FNESS AGM along with many more exciting activities. We are looking forward to welcoming the participation of many First Nations Fire Departments. This will be the second year in which FNESS will align the Fire Safety Expo with the Fire Chiefs Association of BC Fire Expo. The registration for training and competition is already open. Register now! The Provincial First Nations Firefighters Competition will be taking place on Monday June 5 th, This location is to be announced, but will be close to the Kal Tire Centre. We will have a great event, with all the power of our First Nations Firefighters, BBQ on site, and a very exciting awards ceremony to celebrate the competition winners and the passion of our volunteer firefighters. The Firefighter Training is being delivered in collaboration with the North Okanagan Training Centre on June 6 and June 7. We would also like to remind all of you who are active members of FNESS that the AGM will be on June 8 th at the Okanagan Indian Band Head of the Lake Hall. The forms and more information on this event can be found at: FortisBC Partnership with FNESS FNESS would like to thank Fortis BC for their generous contribution to our Fire Safety Expo. We met Joanne (Jo) from Fortis during our Fire Prevention Week Open House in October Jo showed an incredible interest for the Fire Services work with communities and for the well-being of our First Nations. We would like to let you know a little bit more about Jo. Jo has been working at FortisBC for more than 10 years, and for the past 15 months as Community and Aboriginal Relations Liaison. In her role, she identifies partnership opportunities that align with and share FortisBC's core values: safety, customer focus, collaboration, progressiveness and respect. She approached FNESS because she believes both organizations share those values. She is passionate about supporting Aboriginal communities and as a parent, believes all kids should be raised in a safe and healthy environment, with access to emergency services. Jo sits on the company s Public Safety Committee, and has created and coordinated several marketing campaigns, including a kids-oriented program called Energy is Awesome. FortisBC is committed to the health and safety of our communities, and it s a commitment we take seriously. From my first conversation with FNESS about the services provided, I knew they were crucial in keeping First Nation communities safe, and identified them as an organization we should support, According to Jo, FortisBC is guided by their Statement of Aboriginal Principles, developed collaboratively with Aboriginal leaders across Canada, which serves to guide FortisBC in building effective Aboriginal relationships and ensuring the company has the structure, resources and skills necessary to maintain these relationships. Partnering with FNESS is a prime example of how FortisBC demonstrates commitment, and acts on these principles. If you want to learn more about where Jo works, visit FortisBC.

5 Forest Fuel Management The Forest Fuel Management (FFM) Department is providing updates of department events and activities attended and participated in for the month of April. Events Larry Price, RPF Specialist - FNESS coordinating Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), and drone Training at Fort Nelson First Nation. Photos: Larry Price, RPF FNESS Specialist coordinating HIZ Training in Fort Nelson with Hummingbird Drones

6 Emergency Management Preparedness (EMP) Funding - On Reserve Fuel Treatment Initiative The EMP INAC project, to conduct forest fuel prescription review and operational fuel treatment projects for 22 First Nations communities is now complete. The project was a success again this year, and looking forward to receiving approval for funds for the fiscal year. We made a submission to INAC for this year. As soon as we receive confirmation and approval, we will begin planning and implementation for Photo: Neskonlith First Nation On-Reserve Fuel Treatment

7 Promo & Educational Awareness In March, 2017, HIZ training was provided to 20 trainees comprising 10 individuals from the Fort Nelson FN Community, in addition to, members of NRRM Fire Department, FNESS, BC Wildfire Service and the consulting community. UAV aerial operations and implementation of residential and critical infrastructure HIZ assessment are scheduled to occur from May through October The funding for the UAV portion of the project was approved in with listed activities scheduled for Photo: Hummingbird Drones Capturing imagery in Fort Nelson WUI What is the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative (SWPI)? The Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative (SWPI) is a suite of funding programs managed through the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Working Group and includes the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS); Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO); and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). Funding is provided by the Province of BC and is administered by UBCM. The initiative supports communities to mitigate risk from wildfire in the wildland urban interface.

8 What s SWPI?...continued Community Wildfire Protection Plan & CWPP Update Program The CWPP program assists local governments and First Nations in identifying the risks of wildfire to their community as well as opportunities to reduce those risks. The purpose of a CWPP is to identify the wildfire risks within and surrounding a community, to describe the potential consequences if a wildfire was to impact the community, and to examine possible ways to reduce the wildfire risk. The CWPP program can contribute a maximum of 75% of the cost of eligible activities, to a maximum of $22,500. The remainder (25%) is required to be funded through community contributions. Fuel Management Prescription Program The Fuel Management Prescription program assists local governments and First Nations to develop prescriptions for areas in the WUI that are at risk from wildfires and which were identified as priorities in the CWPP. A fuel management prescription is a document that identifies the objectives and strategies to lower the wildfire hazard in an identified area. Prescriptions ensure that proposed treatments include clearly defined objectives for fuel management that will result in a measurable reduction in the wildfire risk while meeting all legislated and non-statutory requirements. The Fuel Management Prescription program can contribute a maximum of 75% of the cost of eligible activities and the remainder (25%) is required to be funded through community contributions. Fuel Management Demonstration Projects The Fuel Management Demonstration project program assists local governments and First Nations to undertake small-scale treatments. Fuel Management Demonstration Projects are small-scale projects, in the WUI, in areas that are at risk from wildfires, and which are designed to: Demonstrate fuel management treatments and increase public awareness of fuel management Test methodologies and equipment prior to implementing large-scale operational fuel treatment projects Explore the economic and operational viability of different fuel treatment methodologies The Fuel Management Demonstration Project program can contribute a maximum of 75% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $25,000. The remainder (25%) is required to be funded through community contributions. Operational Fuel Treatment Program The Operational Fuel Treatment program assists local governments and First Nations to undertake operational fuel treatments that are set out in a prescription in areas identified as priorities in the CWPP. The primary objective of the program is to maximize the number of hectares treated in areas that pose the greatest risk of wildfire to communities. Operational fuel management is defined as the process of changing forest fuel to reduce aggressive fire behaviour. This may include treatments such as thinning, spacing and pruning trees, and removal of needles and woody debris from the forest floor. The intent is to reduce fuel load in the forest and reduce the potential for devastating wildfires. The Operational Fuel Treatment program can contribute a maximum of 90% of the cost of eligible activities up to $400,000 in funding per municipality or First Nation per calendar year, and up to $600,000 in funding per regional district per calendar year. The remainder (10%) is required to be funded through community contributions.

9 2017 SWPI FireSmart Planning Grant Program The FireSmart Communities Program, provided by Partners in Protection, is designed to encourage self-organized groups of residents to take the lead in implementing solutions for wildfire safety on their own properties. First Nations and individual neighbourhoods or subdivisions within local governments that are in areas prone to wildfire can earn FireSmart Community Recognition status by meeting the criteria set by Partners in Protection. Photo: Kyle Broome Cabin Forestry and Warren Houde Sn pink tn Forestry in a patch of flowering Balsam Root in April 2016.

10 3rd SWPI Intake Application Deadline for 2017 will be October 6th All SWPI applications from First Nations Communities for CWPP, Fuel Management Prescription; and Operational Treatments/maintenance to be submitted directly to Union British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) at and mail: UBCM 525 Government Street, Victoria, V8V 0A8.

11 Additional Funding for Wildfire Risk Reduction March 22, 2017 The Forest Enhancement Society of BC will be providing funding for the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative to jointly fund some operational fuel treatments. Starting in April 2017, eligible applicants may apply through SWPI to access joint funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. To be eligible for joint funding, projects must be on provincial Crown land and the applicant must commit to tendering the project. Funding permitted, joint funding for operational fuel treatments will be available: 1. To allow applicants to access funding in excess of the annual SWPI funding maximums; 2. For operational logical treatments with areas inside the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and outside of the WUI. 3. For unincorporated areas within regional districts that cannot be treated due to fiscal constraints related to service area requirements and the required 10% community contribution. For more information, refer to the updated 2017 Operational Fuel Treatment Program & Application Guide available at or contact UBCM at or National FireSmart Canada, Community Recognition Program We have been very active assisting First Nations and local governments to engage in the FireSmart Community Recognition Program. The objective for this year is to progress First Nations and local government into the FireSmart Canada Community recognition program. The following communities recently received FireSmart community recognition. 1. Penticton Indian Band 2016 new recognition 2. The village of Lytton new recognition. 3. Lytton First Nation new recognition. The FFM department works with First Nations, of BC, Provincial and Federal governments and agencies, to assist with wildfire prevention activities. Many First Nations in BC are impacted by the threat and risk of loss to community structures and assets due to wildfires, the FFM department supports access to funding to communities to reduce the risk and loss to wildfires through planning, education, and implementation of wildfire threat reduction activities. The FFM Department is primarily funded through the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative, Province of BC. Supports First Nations access to program resources, materials and program requirements to be eligible for various funding streams. Guidance and support to access funding for wildfire prevention initiatives. Assist communities navigate through funding, applications, and program criteria. We access federal funds through the Indigenous Affairs Northern Development Canada that supports: BC First Nations with Wildfire Prevention Initiatives, on reserve fuel treatment projects. FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program.

12 National FireSmart Canada, Community Recognition Program continued Many of the programs include the FireSmart Canada Community recognition program, as a requirement within planning and guidelines, for program criteria and eligibility. Being involved in the FireSmart Canada community recognition program is a benefit to the community with regard to wildfire prevention education and awareness, and increases eligibility to access various wildfire prevention initiatives. The Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative (SWPI) is a suite of funding programs managed through the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Working Group FNESS; Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO); and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The FFM department works with First Nations in BC to encourage involvement with the Fire Smart Canada community recognition program, and will help the community navigate the steps to become a recognized Fire Smart community. This is a big step in assisting communities with wildfire prevention and creating safer communities, while helping to leverage access to other wildfire prevention initiatives. F I R S T N A T I O N S ' E M E R G E N C Y S E R V I C E S S O C I E T Y O F B C Vancouver Office Squamish Nation Traditional Territory Orwell Street North Vancouver, BC V7J 3R5 Phone: or Fax: info@fness.bc.ca Like us on Facebook Kamloops Office Tk emlups te Secwepemc (TteS) Traditional Territory A274 Halston Road Kamloops, BC V2H 1P7 Phone: Or Fax: ffminfo@fness.bc.ca Follow us on Twitter