Join the B.C. Fire Departments Cohort—a free opportunity to strengthen fire departments’ critical infrastructure.

In partnership with the CRIS, the Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C. (FCABC) is inviting its members to register for this cohort opportunity to support planned upgrades to Fire Departments that improve wildfire resilience, increase energy efficiency, and ensure continuity of operations during emergencies.

Participants will receive free, one-on-one technical support, as well as access to peer learning sessions that explore the best options for projects such as:

  • HVAC upgrades for air filtration, wildfire resilient building materials, and design recommendations for wildfire resilient firehalls.  
  • Mechanical systems and building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing) for energy efficiency and emissions reduction in firehalls.  
  • Climate hazard identification and targeted upgrades to reduce risk for climate hazards in firehalls.  
  • Sprinkler system and wildfire urban interface planning  
  • Emergency power systems, backup battery systems and solar photovoltaic systems
  • And more.

This expert guidance is designed to help advance projects, prepare departments for grant applications, and position them for future funding.

Eligible participants must be FCABC members serving populations of 30,000 or fewer, who own, operate, or manage fire and emergency services infrastructure, and have infrastructure upgrades identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan 

Deadline Extended! Register before Friday, September 19th at 11:59PM PT!

Register for the Fire Departments Cohort

About the Fire Departments Cohort

Explore our FAQs to find everything you need to know about the British Columbia Fire Department cohort delivered by CRIS and the FCABC

Each participating fire department will receive:

  • Up to 60 hours of personalized expert support to identify retrofit options, and plan for low-carbon, resilient upgrades.
  • Virtual peer learning sessions with other local government representatives working on similar projects.
  • A technical options report to help bridge the gap between planning and implementation.
  • Support in aligning your project with potential future funding opportunities. 

To be eligible, Fire Departments must:

  • Serve a population of approximately 30,000 or less in the province of British Columbia
  • Own, operate, or manage fire and emergency services infrastructure  
  • Have infrastructure upgrades identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
  • Commit to participating in a 12 – 16 week virtual cohort process, including expert sessions and peer activities. This includes attending 4 webinars and working with your assigned expert to provide guidance, information and access to resources and background materials related to your 1:1 project. 

This cohort is designed for projects related to upgrading fire and emergency services infrastructure. This includes work on: 

  • HVAC upgrades for air filtration, wildfire resilient building materials, and design recommendations for wildfire resilient firehalls. 
  • Mechanical systems and building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing) for energy efficiency and emissions reduction in firehalls. 
  • Climate hazard identification and targeted upgrades to reduce risk for climate hazards in firehalls. 
  • Sprinkler system and wildfire urban interface planning 
  • Emergency power systems, backup battery systems and solar photovoltaic systems 
  • Other infrastructure projects not included in this list. If the type of project you’d like to pursue is not included in this list, please inquire about eligibility.  

No. Participation in the CRIS Cohort program is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS), facilitated by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the Government of Canada. There is no cost to fire departments.

This cohort will operate between October 2025 and February 2026. Participants should be prepared to: 

  • Attend a kickoff session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
  • Engage in one-on-one expert meetings (meet 2 times with expert to support expert technical analysis)
  • Join 2 mid-point peer learning session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
  • Participate in a wrap-up session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)

All other work is completed directly between the municipality and their assigned expert. 

The entire cohort is delivered virtually to maximize flexibility and minimize time away from day-to-day operations. 

Yes, each participating fire department can have more than one employee or volunteer attend. For example, a fire chief could attend with a public works manager. 

Simply complete this short service request form: Submit here

It’s a simple, fast process — no lengthy applications required! 

Submission Deadline Extended to September 19th, 2025 at 11:59PM PT
Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity! 

Learn More about Cohorts

Interested in getting involved in a CRIS Cohort in your province or territory? Learn about our other ongoing cohort opportunities offered with trusted national partners.

CRIS Cohorts