Much of the fire/rescue service in British Columbia is provided by volunteer fire departments. Some are managed by local governments, while others operate in small, unincorporated communities under the direction of local volunteers.

Over the years, volunteer departments across BC developed independently in the absence of central leadership or the direction necessary to ensure co-operation, co- ordination, and consistency in operations, training, and services. This has resulted in both legal and practical challenges for local governments and the communities they serve.

In this session, Denise, Sukh, Devin, and Marina will review various volunteer fire department models, discuss the risks and benefits associated with each model, and provide tips and best practices to obtain the best fire/rescue service for your community.

This session may qualify for the following Professional Development Credits: Law Society CPD