RCMP gather in Chilliwack for deployment to BC wildfires; Chilliwack Walmart, London Drugs pitch in

CHILLIWACK — RCMP officers from across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island assembled at the Pacific Regional Training Centre in Chilliwack on Wednesday (August 23) before being deployed to wildfires throughout the province.

In a news release, BC RCMP says that as 60 personnel returned to their home districts today, another 76 RCMP members traveled to Kelowna and surrounding areas on August 23, providing relief to those officers already in working in the field. These officers travelled from the RCMP’s north, island and Lower Mainland districts. This is in addition to the over 100 officers deployed during the immediate response to the fires.

The logistics, coordinated by PRTC and the RCMP’s Division Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC), are well-established after several years of experience responding to wildfires, floods and other provincial emergencies.

Members, heavy with personal effects and police equipment, entered the drill hall at PRTC where they were greeted by an employee. The officers provided their personal details and were given a radio call sign. This call sign, unique to the officer, will follow them once they are in the fire zone. Each member is given a radio before heading to the supply table where they pick up safety masks, a go-kit full of snacks, water and toiletries, which allows the officer to be self-sufficient while deployed.