Thetis Island WUI-Ready Fire Department

On August 26th we received verification from the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) that the Thetis Island Fire Department is a WUI-Ready (Wildland Urban Interface) fire hall.

This initial assessment provides a framework to expand on the collection and aggregation of more detailed wildfire risk and preparedness quantification, as well as providing a differentiator between communities preparing to mitigate the risk (as provided through the Canadian Fire Insurance Grading Index and the in parallel provided in the FUS Community Portal) and those still assessing or preparing to assess the risk.

The following main areas cover the initial evaluation of the ability of a community’s fire hall to provide a level of wildfire specific response. These initial five areas of focus are based on the report by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Wildland/Urban Interface: Fire Department Wildfire Preparedness and Readiness Capabilities.

• Community Wildfire Protection/Resilience Plan (CWPP/CWRP)

• Rapid initial attack and early resource ordering

• Appropriate wildland and WUI fire apparatus

• Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Trained and qualified personnel

Your Fire Department and Fire Fighters have worked hard to attain this level of a WUI-Ready Firehall. With most of the support through donations to and grants from the TI Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Society we have been able meet this standard for the good of the community. We are very pleased to share this news with you.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck, Deputy Chief Chad Kerr
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.