Fire and Rescue

9-1-1 Emergencies and Emergency Response

Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency or if you see smoke.

In the event of a forest fire or natural disaster go to cordemergency.ca for information on evacuation alerts and orders, emergency reception centre locations, and other important details including how to safely return to your home after a flood or wildfire.

Bylaws

Four primary bylaws relate to West Kelowna Fire Rescue operations and regulate such things as burning, campfires, fees and charges, fire hydrants, fireworks and nuisance smoke:

• Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2010, No. 0093
• City of West Kelowna Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095
• City of West Kelowna Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw 2010 No. 0114
• Smoke Control Regulatory Bylaw No. 773

Visit the bylaw page for a complete list of West Kelowna bylaws.

Campfires, Fire Pits, Fireworks and Open Burning

Burning Permits/Open Burning

Starting October 1, open burning permits will be available for eligible West Kelowna property owners.

Permits are required during open burning season and only issued for properties greater than one hectare, under specific conditions including suitable air quality and adequate venting. Open burning season is typically from October 1 to April 30, but local fire chiefs may shorten the season in the interest of public health and safety.

To obtain a burning permit, call:

• 778-797-3200 Ext. 1
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays), closed noon to 1 p.m.

Check today's Air Quality/Venting conditions.

Campfires

Campfires are currently permitted.

At times when campfires are allowed, permits are not required for the following:

• Campfires and fire pits less than a half-meter in diameter, away from ALL fire sources and flammable materials, with NO use of garbage, wet wood or accelerant and with extinguishing aids (shovel and soil, hose, extinguisher, etc.) close by. Read the campfire requirements.
• The Fire Chief may prohibit campfires at any time in order to ensure public health and safety. We e-notify our subscribers when campfire bans are enacted and rescinded and encourage you to please sign up for e-notifications.

Fireworks

• Fireworks - only professional public displays are permitted once a license has been obtained from the Fire Chief.

West Kelowna FireSmart Grant Program - Guidelines & Information 

Introduction

The City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation dedicated $30,000 in funding to encourage private property owners to use FireSmart principles and initiatives to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and our Westside community.

Funding for FireSmart grants in the City of West Kelowna is expended for 2020, with the exception of vouchers of up to $20 to help cover costs of taking yard waste to the Westside Transfer Station.

Some FireSmart grant funding remains available on a first come, first serve basis for eligible residents, community associations, and strata properties in Westbank First Nation.

Property owners must conduct FireSmart treatments within zero to 10 metres from their home (Zone 1 & 1a) will be eligible for FireSmart grants.

Application Requirements & Process 

• Step 1 – Request a package by email to wkfr.prevention@westkelownacity.ca. 

• Step 2 – Download the FireSmart Begins at Home document OR App OR use the online FireSmart Home Assessment document. The app or document will guide you through a series of questions about your property to help identify specific actions that you can take to reduce wildfire risk
• Step 3 - Take photos before you begin your FireSmart project and be sure to take after photos of the project from the same direction/orientation.
• Step 4 – Complete FireSmart treatment as recommended through your assessment.
• Step 5 – Complete the Grant Application. You can review a sample application here.
• Step 6 – Submit by email to wkfr.prevention@westkelownacity.ca. 
• Note - You must submit the following to be eligible to apply:

  • Completed 2020 FireSmart Grant Application

  • Completed FireSmart Home Assessment via FireSmart Begins at Home App OR online document

    • On the app this can be done directly by selecting the three dots, then Share to email address at 
      wkfr.prevention@westkelownacity.ca. Subject: Your Last Name & Address 

  • Photos of project area (before and after photo, same direction/orientation)

  • Receipts of incurred expenses (if applicable)

Completed submissions will be considered on a first come, first served basis. All applications and attachments must be emailed to wkfr.prevention@westkelownacity.ca.

Firefighter Recruitment - Career 

Firefighting is a challenging and demanding occupation. Firefighters must respond
quickly and work effectively as part of a vital team.

Career Firefighting Requirements

Minimum Qualifications at time of application:

• Valid BC Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Brake endorsement (or equivalent from another province)
• 18 years of age or older
• Able to swim and physically perform the work
• Current First Aid certificate with at least seven (7) hours of instruction
• IFSAC or Pro Board Accredited NFPA 1001 – Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II Program including NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
• Legally entitled to work in Canada
• No criminal record
• Medical testing requirements (including vision and hearing) are based upon the NFPA 1582 standard with a restriction placed upon candidates with Category A medical conditions as defined in appendix G, NFPA 1582, Chapter 6, article 6.2.2

Preferred qualifications/skills are:

• Job related certification:

1. NFPA 1002 Standard for Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional
2. NFPA 1006 Vehicle, Rope, Surface Water, Confined Space, Ice Rescue
3. NFPA Fire Inspector Level I
4. NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I
5. Fire Service Instructor I
6. Fire Systems Technical training
7. First Medical Responder 3 or Emergency Medical Responder

• Experience in the mechanical/construction trades
• Medical Emergency Response experience
• Operation of heavy equipment is an asset
• Volunteer and/or career firefighting experience
• Post-secondary education
• Courageous, forthright and works well under pressure
• Strong team player
• Comfortable being in confined spaces and heights
• Work despite physical discomfort in dangerous and unpleasant situations
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Can take calculated risks to help others in need
• Fire prevention and public education experience

Check careers.westkelownacity.ca for available recruitment opportunities.

Firefighter Recruitment - Paid on Call

Paid On Call Firefighting Requirements

Minimum requirements at time of application are:

• Resident of the City of West Kelowna or Westbank First Nation Tsinstikeptum 9 or 10

• Valid BC Driver's Licence, with no more than 6 points and no prohibitions or suspensions in the past 3 years

• Clear criminal record

• Doctor's consent to participate in physical fitness testing

The Paid On-Call recruit training program is an 18 month process comprised of four hours on Tuesday evenings and one mandatory weekend per month. The training is designed to give the necessary skills to be a Paid On-Call member with West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Training topics will cover Emergency Medical First Responder 3 with AED and Spinal, NFPA 1001, S100/S130 Wildland Firefighter and JIBC Live Fire 1.

Regional Air Quality Program

Our community cares about clean air. Outdoor burning regulations provide residents greater protection from the impact of concentrated smoke.

To learn more about outdoor burning regulations, please visit the Regional Air Quality website.

If you have questions or require more information, please contact the Regional Air Quality Program via email or by phone at 250-469-8408.

Wildfire Danger Rating

For the current rating, see the BC Wildfire Service's West Kelowna Fire Danger Rating. Fire danger ratings can change significantly during fire season, from approximately May to October.

To learn more about wildfire response in British Columbia, including a list of active fires, official danger ratings throughout the province and how to prevent forest and grass fires, please visit BC Wildfire.