FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program Community Champion Workshop Module 3 Overview of the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program Community Champion Workshop Module 3 Overview of the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program

Learning Objectives Module 3 Identify situations and locations where the FCCR Program can be applied. Describe the 8-step FCCR Program. Understand the roles of the FireSmart Community Champion, FireSmart Board, Local FireSmart Representative and the site visit. Describe the purpose and content of the FireSmart Community Assessment Report and the FireSmart Plan. Learning Objectives Module 3 Identify situations and locations where the FCCR Program can be applied. Describe the 8-step FCCR Program. Understand the roles of the FireSmart Community Champion, FireSmart Board, Local FireSmart Representative and the site visit. Describe the purpose and content of the FireSmart Community Assessment Report and the FireSmart Plan. Text Ref: PM - Syllabus

What is the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program? A time-tested means of developing and motivating self- organizing groups of WUI residents to take grassroots actions that reduce the risk of wildfire losses in their own neighbourhoods. A tool to engage and empower people and communities. A program that augments the efforts of municipal and wildland fire responders. What is the FireSmart Canada Community Recognition Program? A time-tested means of developing and motivating self-organizing groups of WUI residents to take grassroots actions that reduce the risk of wildfire losses in their own neighbourhoods. An educational tool to engage and empower people and communities. A program that augments the efforts of municipal and wildland fire responders. Text Ref: URG-3

Where Can the Program be Applied? WUI communities anywhere: Existing or new. Rural, urban, recreational, agricultural. Ideally: Small communities Neighbourhoods Where Can the Program be Applied? -Existing or new communities. -Anywhere natural fuel occurs. -Rural, urban, recreational, remote or isolated communities. -Neighbourhood, village, cottage or condo assoc. urban sub-divisions. -Not individual homes or large urban centres. Not for: Individual homes Large communities/towns Text Ref: URG - 7

What About Community Size? No “official” size: Small communities - neighbourhoods -Shared interests and networking -Easier to organize -Block party sized (20 – <50 homes) Existing homeowner, cottage associations What About Community Size? No “official” size: Small communities - neighbourhoods -Shared interests and networking -Easier to organize -Block party sized (20 – <50 homes) Existing homeowner, cottage associations Text Ref: URG - 7

Key Players in the FCCRP Local FireSmart Representatives Local (provincial Staff, fire department, contractor) Assist Communities with applications, training, assessments Liaison with Provincial Territorial FireSmart Rep. Partners in Protection Canada Administration Applications & Renewals Records,policy, standards Publications Training FireSmart Community Champion Community Leader Initiates process Provincial Territorial FireSmart Liaison Provincial Territorial Contact Agency Staff member FireSmart Board Volunteer Representatives Lead the process for the community 1. Key Players in the FCCRP Before going any further, let’s take a moment to introduce you to the Key Players in the FCCR Program to you. We’ll DETAIL the duties of each person or organization later in this section. HELP WANTED !! Text Ref: PM URG - 5

From Innovator to Community Champion… No special qualifications or training is necessary. Housewives, farmers, retired sales person… May have previous knowledge… …or just an interest. Willingness is the key criteria; Eager to learn more. Enthusiastic to involve others. Prepared to commit time and energy. Wanting to make a positive contribution. From Innovator to Community Champion… No special qualifications or training is necessary. Housewives, farmers, retired sales person… May have previous knowledge… or just an interest. Willingness is the key criteria; Eager to learn more. Enthusiastic to involve others. Prepared to commit time and energy. Wanting to make a positive contribution. Text Ref: URG - 6

Role of the FireSmart Community Champion Initiates contact with the FCCRP. Participates in community site visit by LFR. Is neighbourhood contact for the LFR. Gathers residents to form FireSmart Community Board. Primary link between the community and LFR and the Provincial/Territorial FireSmart Liaison. Role of the Community Champion: Initiates contact with the FCCRP. Participates in community site visit by LFR. Is neighbourhood contact for the LFR. Gathers residents to form FireSmart Community Board. Primary link between the community and LFR and the Provincial/Territorial FireSmart Liaison. Text Ref: URG - 6

Role of the FireSmart Community Board Represent residents of the community. Receives FireSmart Community Assessment Report. Prepares FireSmart Community Plan. Organize + conduct FireSmart Events. Role of the FireSmart Community Board: Represent residents of the community. Receives FireSmart Community Assessment Report. Prepares FireSmart Community Plan. Organize + conduct FireSmart Events. Prepare / submit application and renewal documents. Prepare / submit application and renewal documents. Text Ref: URG – 6, 15

Role of the Local FireSmart Representative “GO TO” person for the FireSmart Community Champion + FireSmart Community Board. Conducts, prepares, presents Hazard Assessment. Supports preparation and implementation of the FireSmart Community Plan. Conduit for knowledge and agency/municipal support. Coordinates with Provincial / Territorial Liaison. Duties of the Local FireSmart Representative. “GO TO” person for the FireSmart Community Champion + FS Board. Conducts, prepares, presents Hazard Assessment. Supports and preparation and implementation of the FS Comm Plan. Conduit for knowledge and agency/municipal support. Coordinates with the Provincial/Territorial Liaison. Text Ref: URG - 6

Overview: 8-Step FCCR Program 8. Renew Recognition 7. Apply for Recognition 6. Implement Solutions 5. Create FireSmart Plan 4. Champion Forms FireSmart Board HOW DOES THE FCCRP WORK?? A person or neighbourhood with wildfire concerns contacts FireSmart Canada (PIP); and a Local FireSmart Representative visits the area. A local FireSmart Community Board is set up. The Local FireSmart Representative conducts an assessment and meets with the neighbourhoods FireSmart Community Board. If the assessment is accepted, the FireSmart Community Board prepares a neighbourhood-specific FireSmart Community Plan for approval by the Provincial/Territorial FireSmart Liaison. Local solutions (the FS Plan) are implemented by the FireSmart Community Board and area residents during FireSmart Events; events activities are based on the approved Plan and add up to a minimum investment in wildfire mitigation activity of $2/capita. The neighbourhood applies for/receives FireSmart Community Recognition Status . FireSmart status us renewed annually by maintaining this level of FS mitigation work. 3. Hazard Assessment 2. Site Visit by Local FireSmart Representative 1. Community Contacts FireSmart Text Ref: URG – 13

STEP #1: The Community Makes Contact First impressions are important! LFR’s receive requests for assistance from residents. Residents hear about FCCRP in many ways… LFR’s respond with site visit… STEP #1: The Community Makes Contact: First impressions are important! Residents hear about FCCRP in many ways; including from LFR’s themselves. LFR’s will receive requests for assistance from residents directly and indirectly. LFR’s respond to these requests, triggering a site visit and next steps in the Program. Text Ref: URG - 13

STEP #2: LFR Conducts a Site Visit Local Fire Representative: Meets with the community Champion. Arranges participation of local fire officials in upcoming site visit. Conducts Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment (CWHA). Prepares FireSmart Community Assessment Report (FCAR). STEP #2: LFR Conducts a Site Visit. LFR arranges time and place to meet with the community representative (Champion). LFR and Champion engage local fire officials to make them aware of upcoming site visit. LFR conducts Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment (CWHA). LFR prepares FireSmart Community Assessment Report (FCAR) upon completion of site visit. Text Ref: URG – 14

STEP #3: Community Forms FireSmart B0ard Residents: Form FireSmart Board. Led by Champion. Dominated by local residents. Local fire officials are ‘honorary’ serving in advisory role. STEP #3: Community Forms FireSmart Board. Residents form FireSmart Board to organize and implement future steps to FireSmart Community Status – led by Champion. Board should be dominated by local residents. Local fire officials are “honorary”, serving an advisory role. Text Ref: URG - 15

STEP #4: FireSmart Community Assessment Report Prepared by LFR. Presented to FireSmart Board. Contains priority FireSmart mitigation recommendations for community. Based on results of the Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment . STEP #4: FireSmart Community Assessment Report. Prepared by LFR for presentation to FireSmart Board. Contains priotity FS mitigations recommendations for community. Based on results of the Community Wildfire Hazard Assessment. Text Ref: URG - 15

STEP #5: Prepare a FireSmart Community Plan Prepared by FireSmart Board. Contains 3 do-able FireSmart mitigation action items. Based on LFR recommendations Reviewed/approved by FireSmart Provincial / Territorial Liaison. STEP #5: Prepare a FireSmart Community Plan. FireSmart Community Plan: Prepared by FireSmart Board. Contains 3 do-able FireSmart mitigation action items . Based on LFR recommendations Reviewed/approved by FireSmart Provincial / Territorial Liaison. Text Ref: URG - 16

STEP #6: Implement FireSmart Events Organized by FireSmart Board. Implement FireSmart mitigation action items. Described in FireSmart Plan Range from info sessions to ‘work bee’ fuel treatments. Mandatory for recognition. STEP #6: Implement FireSmart Events (Solutions). FireSmart Events: Organized by FireSmart Board. Implement FireSmart mitigation action items. Described in FireSmart Plan Range from info sessions to ‘work bee’ fuel treatments. Mandatory for recognition. Text Ref: URG – 16 - 18

STEP #7: Apply for FireSmart Recognition Status Application form completed by Board. Include proof of meeting recognition criteria (5). Submit form to Provincial Territorial Liaison. STEP #7: Apply for FireSmart Recognition Status. FireSmart Recognition Status: Application form completed by Board. Include proof of meeting recognition criteria (5). Submit form to Provincial Territorial Liaison. Text Ref: URG – 19 to 22

FireSmart Recognition Annual Renewal STEP #8: Annual Renewal FireSmart Recognition Annual Renewal: On-line submission from Board. Confirms mandatory criteria met. Sustains momentum + continuity. Reinforces positive behaviour. FireSmart Recognition Annual Renewal On-line submission from Board. Confirms mandatory criteria met. Sustains momentum + continuity. Reinforces positive behaviour. Text Ref: URG – 23 - 25