Vernon residents may see an increased presence of fire trucks, equipment and fire crews in several neighbourhoods tomorrow.
Vernon Fire Rescue Services will host a regional Engine Boss training exercise tomorrow as part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming wildfire season. VFRS is hosting the training, with instruction provided by the BC Wildfire Service.
“This activity is part of a planned training exercise and no live fire will be used,” their statement read.
The city said the training prepares municipal and regional firefighters with the skills and knowledge needed to serve as an engine boss in structure defence, including in wildland-urban interface situations.
“This type of training is critical to ensuring our officers and crews are prepared to lead and operate effectively during complex wildfire incidents,” VFRS Fire Chief David Lind said. “Working through realistic scenarios alongside regional partners improves coordination and strengthens community safety.”
Nearly 42 participants will take part in the exercise, representing seven to eight regional departments and about 15 pieces of apparatus.
The city said firefighters will operate in Sunset Properties, Kokanee Estates, Beverley Hills Estates and the Outback area, with initial apparatus staging at Okanagan Landing Elementary School before crews deploy to assigned locations.
