Newly trained Wildfire Mitigation Specialists for Princeton and Electoral Area “H”

News Article

In preparation for the upcoming wildfire season, the Town of Princeton, in partnership with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), has been scaling up resources to meet the increasing demand for FireSmart program delivery in Electoral Area “H” (Rural Princeton). 

Recently in Princeton, an additional ten firefighters from various Electoral Area “H” fire departments, completed the week-long Wildfire Mitigation Specialist training. This training, funded by the 2022 RDOS FireSmart Grant, brings the total to 14 Wildfire Mitigation Specialists certified to provide FireSmart Home Partners Assessments to residents throughout Princeton and Electoral Area “H”. 

With the threat of wildfire at the top of mind for many homeowners, a FireSmart Home Partners Assessment provides a comprehensive list of wildfire risks and hazards on and around homes, along with recommended options for mitigating those risks. Spring is a popular time of year for yard cleanup as well as home and landscaping projects. If you reside in Electoral Area “H” and would benefit from guidance on how you can best protect your home from loss due to wildfire, request a Free FireSmart Home Assessment today by contacting the Town of Princeton FireSmart Coordinator at firesmart@princeton.ca or by phone at 250-273-9780.  If you live in another Electoral Area within the Regional District, other than Electoral Area “H”, you can book an assessment by visiting www.firesmart.rdos.bc.ca

Various FireSmart programs are available to support homeowners and neighbourhoods interested in making their homes and properties more resilient to wildfires, including rebates (up to $1,000), free debris removal/chipping, sponsored cleanup and public education events, and support for FireSmart neighbourhood recognition. 

For further information, please visit firesmart.rdos.bc.ca or contact Kerry Riess, RDOS FireSmart Coordinator. 

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts:

Kerry Riess
RDOS FireSmart Coordinator

250-490-4392

 

Dave Stringfellow

Town of Princeton FireSmart Coordinator

250-273-9780

 

Sara Foss

RDOS Communications

250-490-4387

 

RDOS Communications
Toll Free 1-877-610-3737

 

Wildfire Mitigation Specialists

Wildfire Mitigation Specialists and Coordinators, Princeton, BC

In Photo from left to right:

Joel Hamilton (Provincial FireSmart Home Partners Coordinator), Dave Stringfellow (Princeton FireSmart Coordinator), Kerry Riess (RDOS FireSmart Coordinator), Robert Banks (Princeton Fire Chief), Kevin Daley (Erris FD), Michael Young (East Gate FD), Christine Nichols (Erris FD), Rob Miller (Hayes Creek FD), Cindy Gamache (Hayes Creek Fire Chief), Corinne Stringfellow (Erris FD), Bev Hasenpflug (Erris FD), Nicole Harris (Erris FD), Miranda Crucil (Erris FD), Jody Woodford (Tulameen FD), Bryan Werner (Tulameen FD), Hayden Zahrawi (RDOS, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist), not in photo-Ed Atkinson (Princeton FD)

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