The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is a unique program of government tasked with the responsibility of preventing and managing wildfire on the landscape. With a workforce of approximately 1600 the program’s staff are dedicated to undertaking the BCWS mandate in delivering effective wildfire management and emergency response support to protect values, while encouraging sustainable, healthy and resilient ecosystems. This position is responsible for maintaining the readiness of fire equipment and resources in accordance with alert preparedness levels, and taking aggressive action on fires in a safe and effective manner as directed.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Remains informed of standby requirements, fire weather forecasts and fire behaviour advisories.
• Ensures safe work practices at all times, particularly when deployed in rugged terrain and in the vicinity of helicopters, air tankers and heavy machinery.
• Prepares crew equipment and vehicles for dispatch in accordance with appropriate alert preparedness levels, maintaining all assigned equipment in excellent repair.
• Conducts regular checks of crew equipment for signs of deterioration that could compromise safety, reporting issues to crew leader for immediate attention.
• Provides administrative support and undertakes all work projects as directed. • Participates in removing fuel from fire path using tools (e.g. shovel, Pulaski, chainsaw) to cut fire breaks, dig fire guards and establish water pumps and hose lines to control or extinguish fire.
• Provides site rehabilitation after fire has been extinguished as directed.
• Maintains a high level of personal physical fitness by participating in a regular crew fitness regime.
• Completes specialized training, including hover exit, rappel and parachute deployment as required.
• Supports community forest fire prevention programs, assisting with fire hazard assessments, tours or demonstrations.
• Participates in natural resource projects, including but not limited to fuel management and prescribed burning.
• Exercises authority as a designated official delegated under the Wildfire Act and the Wildfire Regulation.
• Function in the Incident Command System as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
• Grade 12 or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Successful completion of pre-employment fitness standard.
• Valid First Aid Ticket OFA Level 1 with Transportation endorsement.
• Successful completion of the New Recruit Boot Camp training standard and related ‘S-courses’.
• Maintain personal weights standards as required for crew type.
• Preferred Class 5 or 7 driver licence.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required by the ministry