Council Report: 2023 UBCM FIRESMART COMMUNITY FUNDING AND SUPPORTS GRANT APPLICATION

Council Report

TO: Mayor and Council DATE: November 15, 2023 FROM: Troy Mollin, Emergency Management Officer MEETING DATE: November 21, 2023

2023 UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MUNICIPALITIES (UBCM) FIRESMART COMMUNITY FUNDING AND SUPPORTS GRANT APPLICATION

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Town of View Royal make application from the 2023 UBCM FireSmart Community Funding and Supports for a FireSmart Coordinator and a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan in the amount of $144,785.

ACTING CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To receive approval for an application by the Town of View Royal to the 2023 UBCM FireSmart Community Funding and Supports for a grant to hire a FireSmart Coordinator (FSC) and draft a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) in the amount of $144,785.

DISCUSSION:

Given the Town of View Royal’s wildfire urban interface risk, a project is proposed that will provide the Town with a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) and the hiring of a FireSmart Coordinator (FSC) for a 1-year term. The project will focus on:

Public education and community engagement community events, residential outreach and assessments coordinated by the FSC.
Working with internal and external partners including the FSC’s participation in the regional Wildfire Resiliency Committee
Contract a consultant to draft a new CWRP to replace the Town’s 2007 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The FSC will assist in coordinating work with consultant.

The FSC will be responsible for increasing the Town’s FireSmart Preparedness through public education, starting with the highest risk areas in the Thetis Lake area and moving throughout the community during the term. The FSC will work with Town staff to review and propose changes to municipal bylaws and policies in line with recommendations made in the CWRP. The FRC will also engage with CRD Parks, private land stakeholders, and Esquimalt First Nation and Songhees First Nation to meet the objectives of the role and the completed CWRP.

See the attached UBCM application.

Submitted by: Troy Mollin, Emergency Management Officer

Reviewed by: Paul M. Hurst, Director of Protective Services

Reviewed by: S. Jones, Acting Chief Administrative Officer