CLC&RA NEWS

Carr’s Landing Community & Recreation Association is collaborating with the Lake Country Fire Department (LCFD) on a pilot of the FireSmart Neighbourhood Champions program.

 

This program encourages self-organized groups of residents to take the lead in implementing solutions for wildfire safety on their own properties. 

 

We need two or three neighbourhood champions to head up the projects in their immediate neighbourhood of between five and twelve homes, where all or most neighbours are willing to commit to take part. LCFD will be training firefighters to be the staff support to such efforts, providing an info session to residents and then undertaking a FireSmart survey of the homes/yards involved. 

 

The neighbourhood champion will rally the neighbours and ensure they are committed to action, act as a liaison between the LCFD and neighbours, organize work parties and ensure the recommendations are planned and carried out (may be over a period of years in the case of labour-intense or more expensive actions).  The survey, recommendations and expectations of the Neighbourhood program will be at a slightly reduced level from the 3 hour Advanced Home Assessments that have been offered by LCFD. 

 

Neighbourhood champions should be committed to spending at least 25 hours between now and late fall 2024. They will take a one-hour training, meet with LCFD staff, speak to each neighbour, organize and co-present a neighbourhood info session, organize work bees and assist neighbours in understanding expectations, finding resources, carrying out needed work and arranging, with the LCFD, for disposal of materials removed from neighbourhood premises. Reporting on the success of the initiative and assessing the challenges and benefits at the end of the year is also expected.

 

Please go to firesmartcanada.ca/programs/neighbourhood-recognition-program/ to find out more.