The Cariboo Fire Centre (CaFC) is holding a training bootcamp in collaboration with the Tsilqot’in National Government for First Nations people throughout the Cariboo region who want to learn to fight wildfires.
Until March 21 people from Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Northern Secwēpemc te Qelmūcw , Williams Lake, Esk’etemc, Xatśūll, Ulkatcho, Tsq̓éscen̓, Llenllenéy'ten, Whispering Pines, Lhtako Dene, Lhoosk’uz Dene and Nazko First Nations who are 18-years-old and have either graduated high school or have their GED are eligible to apply for the program.
It will take place from April 24 to April 30 in Puntzi, 180 km west of Williams Lake, and participants will gain the skills required to be part of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) or contract wildfire crews. Training and certifications will include:
- S-100 (Basic Fire Suppression and Safety)
- S-185 (Fire Entrapment Avoidance Training)
- S-170 (Helicopter Use & Safety)
- Communications
- Pumps and Water Delivery
- Fire Weather
- Navigation
Participants will also be able to take the WFX-FIT Test, a fitness test for wildland firefighters to ensure they are able to move the necessary gear to battle blazes.
In 2021, the bootcamp program was started where up to a dozen First Nations trainees will attend the bootcamp. The BCWS switched some of its hiring standards, which had the unintended consequence of excluding some Indigenous people and didn't properly recognize the barriers to hiring First Nations people. The bootcamp is one of the solutions the CaFC has for that.
"The CaFC recognized the importance of reversing the loss of knowledge and skills that local First Nations bring to wildland firefighting and initiated the (First Nations Wildland Firefighter Bootcamp)," Madison Dahl from the CaFC said in an email statement. "The First Nation bootcamp was created with the goal of removing barriers that Indigenous candidates face when applying to join BCWS and rebuilding much needed local diversity within fire crews."
Increasing the number of First Nations firefighters helps protect First Nations communities from fires and adds additional knowledge to the CaFC's crews.
"Those candidates who don’t join BCWS crews but return to their communities and join local Indigenous Initial Attack, or Type 2 & 3 contract crews, strengthen relationships and improve their understanding of BCWS crews," Dahl said. "These candidates are integral to wildfire preparedness in the Cariboo, promoting resilience and self-reliance within their communities, and reducing local wildfire response times."
The typical new recruit bootcamp for BCWS has up to 100 students at a time, whereas the First Nations bootcamp has up to 12, allowing for more one-on-one training opportunities with instructors. Students and the instructors live and train together for the duration of the bootcamp, allowing them to build bonds and learn from one another closely.
"This setting also allows for elders and leaders from participating First Nation communities to participate in opening and closing ceremonies, and to offer support and encouragement to participants," Dahl said.
A total of 10 people graduated from the program in 2023, five were offered positions in the CaFC and five joined local Indigenous wildfire crews.
"First Nations in B.C. and the Cariboo have a deep and multifaceted knowledge of the land base and wildfires, which is essential to shaping communities and forests to become more integrated and resilient to wildfires," Dahl said. "The Cariboo Fire Centre will continue to increase local Indigenous representation on all our wildfire crews and diversify knowledge and skills, resulting in stronger, more effective responses to wildfires."
People who are eligible can apply to the bootcamp by submitting a detailed resume with work and volunteer experience to taylor@tsilhqotin.ca or kara.ware@gov.bc.ca. It is recommended people start physically training six weeks before the bootcamp as wildland firefighting does require a high level of physical fitness.
