Whereas local knowledge of the local climate, terrain, travel routes, communication channels and resources can contribute to the safety of emergency responders and the public in the dangerous and demanding work of fighting wildfires; And whereas many locals, including contractors and industry, have heavy equipment, local expertise, and are required to have firefighting equipment and trained personnel on site when carrying out any activities on the land base and will stay to fight wildfires to protects their assets, structures, land, and livestock, sometimes for significant periods before the BC Wildfire Service is able to arrive: Therefore be it resolved that the BC Wildfire Service be urged to maintain current inventory listings of the local resources available for firefighting purposes and find ways to work collaboratively with them in the suppression of wildfires.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development The BC Wildfire Service calls on the skills and expertise of numerous contractors and local suppliers each year to support the Provinces many resource needs during the wildfire season. Contractors offer valuable resources that complement the work of fire crews and staff. During the fire season, the BC Wildfire Service works closely with the contractor community to determine how the availability and expertise of contractors line up with the provinces firefighting requirements. The BC Wildfire Service will continue to keep arrangements with dozens of companies from all parts of the province to provide contract firefighters and support personnel. In addition to using contractors to supplement our firefighters, all of the air support and heavy equipment that the BC Wildfire Service calls upon during the fire season is supplied through contractors. The BC Wildfire Service also contracts out catering services, security, first aid, danger tree fallers, traffic control and trades including electrical, plumbing and carpentry. Local contractors are encouraged to register with the BC Wildfire Service through Request for Standing Offer RSO competitions that are regularly posted to BC Bid. Requests for standing offers are accepted throughout the year. Each of the provinces six fire centres maintains a list of heavy equipment operators within the region who are prepared to make their equipment bulldozers, diggers, etc. available to assist with wildfire suppression operations if the need arises. Anyone who wishes to be added to one of these lists can contact their local fire centre for more information.