REGIONAL DISTRICT OF KOOTENAY BOUNDARY
Webster Elementary and RDKB team up to fuel a FireSmart tomorrow

Following the launch of the FireSmart BC Education Program in 2023, staff at the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB)  have been helping teachers from Webster Elementary School in Warfield ignite a FireSmart future among their young charges.  As trailblazers, they've become the first school in the regional district to integrate this crucial program into its curriculum.

Ms. Bourchier and Ms. McLean's grade 3 and 4 students have been learning about forest fire mitigation, Indigenous wildfire knowledge and safe campfires, and then cleaning up forest fire fuel (needles and sticks) in the forests near Webster School where they go to play and learn.

Carlene Pires, RDKB's emergency program coordinator, recently teamed up with students and their teachers to guide them in clearing "The Dairy," a nearby piece of land, for FireSmart Wednesday' purposes. This hands-on activity is designed to instill in the children the importance of fire safety and proactive measures.

"FireSmart is a shared responsibility as is fostering the next FireSmart generation," said Carlene Pires. "It's heartening to see the teachers at Webster Elementary reaching out to the RDKB to ensure their students learn these essential lessons. By teaching our children about being FireSmart, we're building greater resiliency, reducing risk, and emphasizing the importance of taking accountability for keeping our homes and communities safe. Fire safety outside is just as critical as understanding fire safety inside."

The FireSmart BC Education Program aims to educate and empower the younger generation about fire safety, fire science, mitigation, and prevention, encouraging them to be proactive in their communities. RDKB plans to continue this initiative by collaborating with organizers of the Beaver Valley Summer Camps and Camp Cawabunga in Trail, following the successful engagement last year.

For more information about the FireSmart BC Education Program and how your school or community group can get involved in the Kootenay Boundary, please contact the RDKB's headquarters in Trail.