Whereas the Province of British Columbia is experiencing increased wildfire risk due to rising temperatures and drought associated with climate change; And whereas an increasing number of community-based wildfire protection and response groups have formed, particularly in rural, remote, and unprotected areas outside established fire protection boundaries, to support FireSmart objectives, safeguard communities, and assist the BC Wildfire Service when requested or directed, and these groups require appropriate training including, but not limited to, S-100 and S-185 and reliable funding to operate safely and effectively: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia, Community Wildfire Roundtables, and other relevant partners to establish a reliable, long-term funding program to support training for community wildfire response groups as part of FireSmart implementation and broader community wildfire resilience.
