Neighbourhood Recognition Program

When it comes to wildfire, we all have a role to play in mitigating risk

The Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) empowers residents to work together to reduce wildfire risk and build resilience at the neighbourhood level. While the Town of Canmore leads vegetation management, fuel reduction projects, and offers free FireSmart Home Assessments, the NRP goes a step further: it focuses on community-wide action and collaboration. FireSmart works best when people work together.

Interested in getting your neighbourhood recognized? Read the steps below before you get started and then submit a request to begin increasing your neighbourhood's collective resilience to wildfire. 

Neighbourhood Recognition Program Interest Form

Small Actions Make a Big Difference

Step 1: 

Become a Neighbourhood Champion. Every neighbourhood needs someone who is looking to improve their neighbourhood’s resilience to wildfire.

The Neighbourhood Champion:

  • Leads the neighbourhood’s FireSmart Committee
  • Acts as a point of contact between the NRP Specialist and the commitee.
  • Creates a Neighbourhood Mitigiation Plan with the help of the committee.
  • With the help of the committee, hosts a FireSmart Canada education and/or clean up event
  • Submits the majority of the required documentation to becoming a recognized FireSmart Neighbourhood.

Step 2:

Complete your FireSmart 101 Training. It is a pre-requisite of being connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program Specialist.

Step 3:

Contact the Town of Canmore by filling out the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Interest Form and get connected with a Neighbourhood Recognition Program (NRP) Specialist. 

Step 4: 

Rally and recruit your neighbours to form a FireSmart Neighbourhood Committee.

Not sure if your neighbourhood already has a champion or not sure how to recruit your neighbours? Contact the team at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley—they’re helping to connect neighbours so forming a committee is easier (and a lot more fun)

Step 5: 

An assigned NRP Specialist will reach out to the Neighbourhood Champion to schedule a time to conduct a Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment.

Step 6:

The NRP Specialist will work with the Champion to set up their neighbourhood’s NRP portal on the FireSmart Canada website.

Step 7:

Once the portal is active, the NRP specialist will upload the completed Neighbourhood Wildfire Hazard Assessment, which includes mitigation recommendations.

Step 8:

The Neighbourhood Champion/Committee reviews the Wildfire Hazard Assessment and mitigation recommendations to develop a plan for their community.

Step 9:

Neighbourhood Champions/Committees are encouraged to annualy apply for the Neighbourhood Recognition Program Incentive through FireSmart Canada. 

Step 10:

Apply for Recognition. The Neighbourhood Champion/FireSmart Committee can apply for the FireSmart Canada Neighbourhood Recognition Status.

Step 11: 

Renew Recognition Status on an annual basis through the FireSmart Canada portal.

To help neighbourhoods plan and participate effectively, the Neighbourhood Recognition Program in Canmore follows a seasonal cycle:

Timeline Activities
July – September Establish a Neighbourhood Champion and Committee. Submit an NRP Interest Form to the Town of Canmore.

October – January

 An NRP Specialist is assigned to each neighbourhood that has submitted an interest form.  Within Oct. – Jan., the NRP specialist completes the Wildfire Hazard Assessment and assists the Neighbourhood Champion to set up the NRP portal on the FireSmart Canada website. The Neighbourhood Champion/Committee develops their neighbourhood plan using the mitigation recommendations from their Wildfire Hazard Assessment.
January – February

The Neighbourhood Champions/Committee are encouraged to apply for the NRP Incentive through FireSmart Canada. 

Applications for the NRP incentive open at the beginning of November; however Neighbour Champions/Committees must have completed a Wildfire Hazard Assessment and created a plan in advance of application. 

March – November

 Neighbourhoods activate their plan and schedule events as per their commitments. Once the events have concluded, the Neighbourhood Champion/Committee can apply for FireSmart Neighbourhood Recognition. 

 

FireSmart Home Assessment

Neighbourhood Recognition Program

Focuses on one property

Focuses on an entire neighbourhood (between 20 and 50 units. Neighbourhoods greater than 50 units will be split)

Recommendations are made for the home ignition zone within a single property owner’s property line.

Recommendations are made for the overall wildfire risk within a neighbourhood, including common areas, public land, and private reserve land that might be within the home ignition zone.

Individual action

Collective action that mitigates risk and builds a sense of community

 

Resources

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