Penticton’s Fire Department is seeking help from local property owners during an upcoming training exercise planned for late April.
Drawing firefighters from 40 jurisdictions across BC, the Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Training Symposium runs April 23 to April 24 and is designed to improve knowledge and response effectiveness to BC wildfire threats, particularly along the interface area where homes and forests meet.
“In order for the symposium to conduct this type of training, we require access to wildland interface homes that can simulate structures and locations that firefighters will encounter when protecting their communities,” said Penticton Fire Chief, Larry Watkinson. “This training will focus on homes being evaluated by firefighters followed by a simulation on how to protect homes from wildfire. If your home is in or near a wooded area, we would like to access your home for this training.”
The City is currently seeking approval from interested property owners to conduct the training in and around their home or property. All of the exercises are being carried out by knowledgeable and experienced firefighting professionals who will ensure the highest safety standards and due care of each volunteer property.
If you support this initiative and wish to volunteer your property or home, please complete the permission form found on the City’s website and return it to the Penticton Fire Department.
“I’d like to thank in advance any home owner who steps forward to assist us with this exercise. Their willingness to include their property in our training simulations has a real world impact of potentially saving hundreds of homes from the destructive reality of wildfire.”