Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies has local representatives joining the table

KAMLOOPS — This wildfire season broke records, becoming the worst in B.C.’s history. In response, the provincial government has come up with a task force to help reduce the risk of disasters and enhance emergency preparedness.

The Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies is made up of 14 people, including Thompson-Nicola Regional District CAO Scott Hildebrand, who believes TNRD can bring a lot ot the table.

“I feel it’s important that the TNRD is represented at that table. We’ve been through a lot with wildfires and atmospheric rivers and flooding. Probably one of the hardest hit regional districts in the province. It’s important that we’re there to share our experiences and share our knowledge,” he told CFJC Today.

Despite being relatively new, Hildebrand hopes the task force will be able to provide expertise to help reduce wildfire risk.

“We’re all bringing our own experiences, our own knowledge to hopefully come up with some solutions,” explained Hildebrand. “We’ve got to find ways to be a bit more proactive when it comes to dealing with wildfires and understanding how we can prevent them. Things like FireSmart, in order to try to prevent these as much as possible and be more prepared.”

Tk’emlups Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir and Kukpi7 Lynn Keonras-Duck of the Adams Lake Indian Band are also part of the new task force and will be joining the other members on the table.