Latest news with #JenFord
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD launches free FireSmart wildfire mitigation assessments for residents
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has launched a FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP) in all four of its Electoral Areas, providing residents with access to free professional wildfire risk assessments to improve the area's overall wildfire resiliency. 'Our staff working throughout the region have heard from homeowners who are asking us to offer the WMP,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford in a release. 'Our FireSmart team has taken all necessary training and is now ready to offer this comprehensive program to our residents. 'We hope homeowners will take advantage of this free program to make their homes more resilient to wildfires.' The WMP provides a professional, on-site assessment of a property, tailored recommendations on mitigation actions in a follow-up report and potential FireSmart certification that can lead to insurance benefits. It builds on the more general Home Ignition Zone Assessment (HIZA) that is already available to SLRD residents. Both the WMP and HIZA are available, free, to residents. Rebates of up to $5,000 are also available to residents who complete eligible fire mitigation work. The SLRD also warned residents to be wary of scammers claiming to represent FireSmart BC or the Regional District offering wildfire protection products or services. And while there have only been a handful of reported incidents in B.C. over the last few years , scammers have been known to use wildfire preparedness clinics and evacuation orders to exploit people. 'We want to emphasize to our residents that our FireSmart program is delivered exclusively by trained SLRD staff and upon request only,' said Ford. 'We never solicit services or information over the phone, and we don't sell products or services. 'Assessments like the WMP are scheduled only when the homeowner has reached out directly to request one. If residents encounter individuals misrepresenting themselves, please contact us so we can address the situation.' The WMP is already offered in Whistler , Pemberton and Squamish . Residents can request a WMP assessment through the SLRD's FireSmart's website, here . Residents can also phone 604-384-7323 or email firesmart@ to schedule an assessment or get more information about either program. To learn more, visit the SLRD's FireSmart page . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD seeks public input on new emergency communications plan
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is developing a new communications and public notification plan to keep residents informed before, during and after an emergency—and it wants your input. 'We have experienced first-hand the effects of a variety of different types of emergencies in the regional district,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford. 'At all stages of an emergency, information is key, and having a plan to guide this process will help improve our overall preparedness for, and response to, emergencies in the future.' Recent wildfires, floods and landslides have prompted record-breaking activations of the SLRD's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), according to a staff report . A policy gap was noted following the Downton Lake and Casper Creek wildfires in 2023, revealing the regional district lacked 'an overall public notification/ emergency communications would direct a timely, accurate and efficient public notification system and allow for the prompt dissemination of vital information in an emergency event.' The anonymous, 10-minute survey is meant to help address that gap. The communications and notification plan is being developed thanks to provincial grant funding administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The grant, awarded through the UBCM's Community Emergency Preparedness Fund's Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning Stream, is part of 'a suite of funding programs intended to support First Nations and local governments prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate.' The SLRD is working with Butterfly Effect Communications to finalize a communications plan by July 2025. The survey is open until midnight on June 4. Those who would prefer a physical copy of the survey are asked to contact communications@ .
