”Educate, Prevent, Protect - Working together for a safer community”

QUICK FACTS
PUBLIC EDUCATION
FIRE PREVENTION
INCIDENT RESPONSE
BYLAWS
SEASONAL FIRE RESTRICTIONS
RECRUITMENT
PHOTO GALLERY
LINKS

The Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS) is dedicated to promoting fire and life safety in our resort community as well as mitigating problems when they occur. We do this through public education which includes a fire prevention program and, when incidents occur, emergency response.

CONTACT US

EMERGENCY: 9-1-1

Whistler Fire Rescue Service – ADMINISTRATION

Fire Hall #1
4325 Blackcomb Way
Whistler, BC, V0N 1B4
Office: 604-935-8260
Fax: 604-935-8289

Jas Rai – Administration Staff
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Michele Rideout – Administration Staff
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Fire Chief & Emergency Management

Rob Whitton
Fire Chief
Ph: 604-935-8260
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Training & Operations

Sheila Kirkwood
Assistant Fire Chief
Ph: 604-935-8260
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Fire Prevention & Public Education

Geoff Playfair
Assistant Fire Chief
Ph: 604-935-8260
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QUICK FACTS

WFRS is comprised of 3 Fire Halls:    
Hall #1 – 4315 Blackcomb Way, Whistler Village
Quint     – 75ft Aerial platform (4WD)
Rescue – Heavy Rescue equipment
Engine  – Pump truck

Hall #2 – 8900 Highway 99, Alpine
Quint     – 65ft stick aerial
Cafs’     - Compressed Air Foam System Apparatus

Hall #3     – 1505 Spring Creek Drive, Spring Creek
Quint     – 75ft Aerial platform (4WD)
Engine     - pump truck

Whistler Village Fire Hall 1

Organization Chart
WFRS consists of both Career and Paid on Call (POC) staff.  Our Department is run by Fire Chief, Rob Whitton, Assistant Fire Chief Geoff Playfair and Assistant Fire Chief Sheila Kirkwood.  We have 21 career firefighters and approximately 60 POC staff.  We cover the Municipality of Whistler and have Mutual Aid Agreements with both Squamish and Pemberton.

Click here to download our organization chart

Our Mandate:
The Whistler Fire Rescue Service (WFRS) is dedicated to promoting fire and life safety in our resort community as well as mitigating problems when they occur. We do this through public education which includes a fire prevention program and, when incidents occur, emergency response
 
PUBLIC EDUCATION

Fire and Life Safety
Our Fire and Life Safety proponent provides and promotes a variety of public education programs within the community in addition to participating in a wide variety of community oriented events.  This includes:

•    Children Programs
•    Adult Programs for businesses and groups
•    Burn Awareness
•    Product Recalls

To book a public education event, call our non emergency line, 604-935-8260.

Or fill out our Education Request Form.

Emergency Preparedness
Is your family prepared for an emergency? In the event of an emergency, you will need basic supplies. You may need to get by without electricity or tap water. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. To find out more about emergency preparedness and what to put in an emergency preparedness kit, visit http://www.getprepared.ca/

Emergency management for the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is a prime function of the Fire Rescue Service. The Fire Chief is the Area Coordinator for Emergency Management. The upper floor of the Public Safety Building can be converted into an Emergency Operations Centre in the event of a local disaster.

Extensive planning is the best preparation for Community emergencies. This involves both planning and response in the event of a major incident within the resort community. A part time Emergency Coordinator helps with this. All Services within the RMOW have a role to play in both preparation and response. The Fire Service provides some of the coordination.

During an emergency, this website, plus local radio station, Mountain FM, will be used as the primary information outlet. As well, a public information hotline may be established. Please ensure you and your family are prepared for an emergency and evacuation at any time.

Download the Emergency Plan. Click here to download.
Visit the Provincial Emergency Program website. Click here to go there now.
Visit the Provincial Pandemic Influenza website. Click here to go there now.
 
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire Prevention is under the direction of Assistant Fire Chief Geoff Playfair. The prevention program primary intention is to partner with our community to increase the level of fire safety for both the public and our firefighters at the same time as protecting property and the environment through the prevention of fires.

In order to achieve this, we have a program of fire inspections. This program is mainly delivered by our firefighter/inspectors but rightfully engages building owners to provide solutions.

Proactively, the administration reviews Fire Safety Plans, working with owners to help them fulfill their obligations to plan for the safe occupation and use of their buildings.

To learn more: Fire Plan Reviews and Inspections.

Wildland/Urban Interface
Whistler is built in an interface zone. Our forests are part of what makes this community a highly desirable place to live. It’s also what makes it hazardous. While our forests are an amenity for residents and tourists alike, it is nothing more than a source of fuel for a fire.

Click here to read more and see what you can do to help.

Residential Overcrowding and Unsafe Uses
Due to the price of real estate and limited market, we get many calls regarding issues with housing. Overcrowding, illegal construction and fire safety are generally cited.

The Fire Service Act provides specific authority to inspect premises to ascertain whether or not any of the following conditions exist:

a)    The premises are in a state of disrepair that a fire may rapidly spread to endanger life or property
b)    The premises is used or occupied so that fire would endanger life or property
c)    Combustible or explosive material is kept or other flammable conditions exist so as to endanger life or property
d)    A fire hazard exists

If you have concerns that any of the above conditions exist, please notify us and we will arrange an inspection. If you are concerned about the number of people in the home, click here for additional information.

If you’re not sure if the above applies, but your concerned and want more information, check www.knowfire.ca for excellent background information. 

INcident response
WFRS staff regularly train and maintain equipment in order to effectively respond to a wide variety of 911 emergency calls.
Below are some of the various operational services we offer.  Click here for additional information.

•    Structural Firefighting
•    Technical Rescue
•    Auto Extrication
•    Wildland/Urban Interface Forest Fire Fighting
•    Public Service
•    First Responder Medical Aid 

BYLAWS
Click on the linked titles below to download relevant bylaws:

False Alarm Bylaw No. 1594, 2004
Fire Protection and Fireworks Bylaw No 1595, 2004
ASTT Bylaw
MTI Bylaw 1719, 2005 including schedule A and B6
 
SEASONAL FIRE RESTRICTIONS

CAMPFIRES
Campfires are permitted in Whistler, subject to:

•    Forest Fire Hazard rating being either low or moderate
•    The campfire is located in an area that is safe from fire hazards
•    Smoke from the fire  does not interfere with a neighbour’s right to clean air
•    The campfire must be of reasonable size (ie: less than .5 m diameter and .5 m tall)
•    Fuel should be seasoned wood. Burning of garden scraps and debris is not permitted (see below)

In all cases, if associated activities such as noise, consumption of alcohol or litter the responsible parties will be dealt with under the appropriate Bylaws. In the case of continuing issues around campfires, the Fire Chief can order a ban on fires at a particular property.

BACKYARD BURINING
Due to air quality issues, backyard burning of garden debris is not permitted in Whistler. Garden debris must be delivered to the transfer station at the Callaghan, or as otherwise provided by the Municipality.

FOREST FIRE HAZARD RATING
Municipal wildfire precautions are governed by the BC Forest Service Forest Fire Hazard Rating system. To check the current hazard rating, click here (Whistler listed under Blackcomb Base).

Please report fire sightings or the smell of smoke to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on cellular networks.

For fire regulations for excavation and blasting companies, click here.

GENERAL ADVICE:
The Whistler valley is located within the coast temperate rainforest, one of the most productive forest types in the world. It’s a large part of what makes our resort attractive.

Though we do receive high annual rainfalls, our fuel loads are very high and when the forest does dry out, both the risk and consequences of wildfire are extreme. Please be careful and help prevent wildfires:

•    Never toss a lit match
•    Be careful with smoking material: extinguish cigarettes completely and never discard cigarettes or matches from vehicles or off your balconies and decks. Instead, use interior ashtrays
•    Campfires are not permitted in times of high or extreme fire hazard. BBQ’s are not permitted in extreme, except on private property. Do not burn open fires or barbecues if there is a campfire/barbecue ban in the area or in windy conditions
•    If campfires are permitted always ensure there are adequate people, water & shovels on site to control flames AND ensure fire is extinguished completely before leaving the site
•    If barbecues are permitted, do not dump hot coals. Ensure they are completely cold before dumping them in the garbage
•    Be careful when touring with All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs or dirt bikes - their exhaust systems produce an enormous amount of heat and can ignite brush)
•    Glass bottles or broken glass can act like a magnifying glass and start a fire. Recycle your glass bottles and carefully pick up broken glass that you see.
•    Small motors of any kind heat up and can cause fire. Chainsaws, gas trimmers and even lawnmowers can be a source of ignition.
•    Obey all trail closures and fire bans. 
•    Take the time to become fire aware: check for advisories on highway signs, radio and newspaper, call the 1-888-3-FOREST fire information line, with pre-recorded updates on wildfire locations, smoke advisories, wildfire hazards and campfire restrictions

HIGH FIRE HAZARD RESTRICTIONS:

1)    Campfires are not permitted.

2)    Fire Works displays are not be permitted.

3)    Parks – Special Events

       a)    Designated smoking areas must be provided
       b)    Minimum of two Class A or 10 lb ABC Fire Extinguishers
       c)    One hour after the event a check of the area to ensure no    fires

4)    For specific construction restrictions that apply in extreme, see separate link for construction, industrial and blasting restriction.

EXTREME FIRE HAZARD RESTRICTIONS:

The following precautions shall be taken, in addition to those listed under High:

1)    Barbeque stands in the parks shall be removed.

2)    For specific construction restrictions that apply in extreme, see separate link for construction, industrial and blasting restriction.

3)    Parks – Special Events

a.    No open flames such as torches and briquette or wood barbeques

4)    Propane barbeques may be used in parks provided they are not on the grass and near any trees (it is anticipated that any propane barbeque would be on a stand or be of a commercial or household design).

5)    Barbeques using propane or briquettes may be used at residences and hotels provided they are used in a safe manner and have proper clearances from structures.

6)    Barbeques using wood for fuel are not allowed in subdivisions but maybe used in the Village provided they are being used in a totally paved area away from any interface area.


RECREATIONAL FOREST CLOSURES
The Resort Municipality of Whistler is committed to maintaining public access to our trail network as much as possible. Should the Provincial Government issue a recreational closure for the forest district, the RMOW will support the closure and efforts to safeguard our forests. Signs at major trailheads will assist with alerting people of a closure. At the same time, trails on the valley floor, such as the Valley Trail as well as Lost Lake trails will remain open.

Click here to visit the B.C. Forest Service site for Wildfire Information 

RECRUITMENT

The Whistler Fire Rescue Service offers you the opportunity to serve the community in an exciting and challenging environment. You will enjoy a strong sense of teamwork and community service while learning new skills.

The Whistler Fire Rescue Service is now accepting applications for paid on-call (PART TIME) fire fighters. Click here to download the posting.

Requirements
The following information is provided to advise you of what the requirements are to become a Paid-on-Call fire fighter:

•    A valid BC driver's license and a means of transportation.
•    A drivers abstract with your application and have no more than 9 points.
•    You must be a full-time resident of Whistler and have lived in Whistler a minimum of one year.
•    You must provide a criminal record search with your application.

Qualifying Process

•    Aptitude testing
•    Physical fitness testing
•    Interview
•    Applicants will be short-listed based on qualifications

Training Commitment
The paid-on-call recruit training is intensive and requires a considerable time commitment.

Approximately 120 hours of training take place on Monday evenings and all day Saturday. Upon completion of the first three months, successful candidates will be placed at their respective fire hall for ongoing regular training, which occurs on Wednesday evenings. A second phase of recruit training will take place approximately three months later and involve some weekends.

Click here to download Applicant Information
Click here to download the Paid On Call Fire Fighter Application
Click here to download the Physical Agility Test information
Click here to download the Recruit Training Program
Click here to download Requirement and Expectations information
Click here to visit the Justice Institute of BC website for information on fire fighting educational programs

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