VIU Health and Safety Advisor Mark Egan is looking forward to using his FireSmart knowledge to make VIU safer.
April 7, 2016 - 3:15pm
This Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, come down to the Nanaimo campus to learn how to be FireSmart
Nanaimo Fire Rescue and Vancouver Island University (VIU) are partnering together to launch the inaugural FireSmart weekend this Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10. VIU staff, along with a group of VIU forestry students and faculty volunteers, will be FireSmarting a forested area on the Nanaimo campus to mark the event.
“We are expecting another dry season so anything we can do to prevent the City of Nanaimo from sending fire trucks to VIU is helpful,” said VIU Health and Safety Advisor, Mark Egan. “Representatives from Nanaimo Fire Rescue will be on hand to talk to people who come out and they will be demonstrating how to implement FireSmart techniques to protect homes and properties.”
The forest around the Log Cabin (Building 465) was identified as a high hazard area and as such it will be the site of the cleanup. A dumpster will be used to clear the combustible vegetation, deadfall and debris off campus.
“The benefits of cleaning up the area are not only a reduction of risk. We get a better line of site, better views of buildings and increased personal safety for those walking along the forest-lined paths,” said Egan.
The event was made possible thanks to assistance from FireSmart Canada and grant money from the Union of BC Municipalities. The public is welcome to join the effort and learn more about FireSmart.
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Media Contact: Dane Gibson, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca T: @viunews
Tags: In the Community
