March 2024
Our present focus is on two priorities:
Response team preparations for upcoming fire season
- Recruiting – 8 new team members responded to Terry Jessup’s recent invitation on Facebook. This invitation still stands for anyone 19 or over. Please contact Terry Jessup if you are interested – 1-604-308-2775 or email chief@kcrs.ca
- Training – arrangements are being made once again for a training program this spring by certified instructors – BC Wildfire Services courses S100 and S185; First Aid training – details to follow.
- Equipment – this past summer, many volunteers supplied their own equipment – truck or trailer, water tote, fire pump, hoses, nozzles – the “redneck fire trucks”. For added personal safety and effectiveness, we need to ensure that our response team volunteers are adequately equipped with:
- Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”)
- Communications Technology – radios, receivers, etc.,
- Backup Firefighting Equipment such as extra pumps, fire hose, nozzles, couplings, etc. Some has already been purchased (Pulaskis, water cans, some PPE and some radios and communications technology). It’s a good start, but more is needed. The limitation is lack of funds, which we will tackle with fundraising efforts.
- Partnering – cooperation with other agencies is essential for overall success. We are in the process of developing cooperative arrangements with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) in matters like communications, deployment of resources and command structure during emergency events. There are also companies and other organizations that will make up a “network of allies” that we are building.
Building a platform of support
After three short months since certification as a society under the BC Society Act, we have made good progress, but there is still much more to be done.
- Become a member – Knutsford residents are urged to sign up to become a voting member of this worthy cause. There is no cost to join, and a strong membership roster helps our credibility when seeking funding from agencies such as the Lotteries Fund, sponsorships and various granting agencies.
- Fundraising – it will take money to ensure that our volunteer Response Team is well-trained, well-equipped and well-supported organizationally. For our first year (2024) our revenue target is $40,000. We intend to generate that through a combination of donations, fundraising events, sponsorships, grants and online donations. At this time the easiest way to donate is via GoFundMe.
- Applying for “Registered Charity” status – in order to be able to issue Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) approved tax receipts for donations, we have to be officially approved by CRA as a “registered charity” under the Income Tax Act of Canada. We are in the process of making application, but it is complex and has many steps, so it will take some time to receive approval.
- New Website – You’re on it! Have a look around. At the time this newsletter is published we are still just laying the groundwork but over time we hope to be able to use this as a platform-neutral source for providing updates on our community’s safety preparations.
- Mental Health Workshop – in response to an invitation from Do More Agriculture Foundation, Director Anne Richardson submitted an expression of interest to host a mental health workshop facilitated by their organization under their “Talk Ask Listen” program. Anne’s application was successful, and she is following up to confirm our willingness to host this event in Knutsford. We will keep you posted as details emerge.
- Contact Information – If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact one of our directors.
- Gordon Petersen, President: president@kcrs.ca
- Terry Jessup, Vice President & KIRT Chief: chief@kcrs.ca
- Ainsley Gullage, Treasurer: treasurer@kcrs.ca
- Anne Richardson, Secretary: secretary@kcrs.ca
- Craig Palmer, Director: craig@kcrs.ca
- James Bethell, Director: james@kcrs.ca
- Fred Grausam, Director: fred@kcrs.ca
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