In this episode, we speak with Jason Brolund, Fire Chief of West Kelowna. Through our conversation, we discuss his experiences with the devastating 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire and the important lessons learned from a difficult wildfire season. As a fire professional with decades of experience, Chief Brolund emphasizes the effectiveness of proactive preparedness through FireSmart principles, the power of clear communication with community members, and the importance of building relationships with other fire professionals and industry specialists. Through strong relationships, communication, and collaboration, Chief Brolund and his team were able to rally an army of 10,000 professionals to battle the blaze and minimize damage.

This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit.

Links:

Learn more about FireSmart BC: firesmartbc.ca

Watch FireSmart BC videos: https://vimeo.com/firesmartbc

Read about a FireSmart success story in West Kelowna: https://firesmartbc.ca/beyond-the-blaze-how-one-home-stood-strong-in-the-face-of-wildfire/