On July 25 and 26, 2024, 12 residents of Venables Valley received S-100 and S-185 Wildfire Training, covering basic fire suppression, fire entrapment avoidance, and fire safety training. This training was facilitated by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Fire Protection Services Department, and included a classroom theory training day followed by a field training day hosted at a property in Knutsford, B.C., south of Kamloops. Residents now have necessary minimum training, PPE and equipment requirements, and Incident Command Structure Training to be hired by the BC Wildfire Service to work in and around their community.
The TNRD has created a short video to highlight this training program. In this video, TNRD Emergency Operations Centre Director Jamie Vieira and Venables Valley residents Mark Greenberg and Marquise Bellfoy explain the purpose and benefits of this training program.
- Watch: Venables Valley Community Receives Wildfire Crew Training (YouTube)
The TNRD would also like to express its gratitude to the resilient residents of Venables Valley, who have now been able to return home following the Shetland Creek wildfire. The TNRD also appreciates the partnership with the BC Wildfire Service to provide this crucial training opportunity.
