Our project successfully supported our neighbourhood’s Second Annual Block Party, a vibrant event dedicated to fostering strong community connections and providing essential education on FireSmart principles and Emergency Preparedness.
To achieve our educational goals, we proactively collaborated with key local organizations. We connected with the FireSmart program director and representatives from the CVRD Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP), inviting them to our event to share their expertise. The diverse composition of our neighbourhood, ranging from very young children to retired adults, made this event a vital opportunity to bring everyone together.
Generously supported by a Neighbourhood Small Grant, we purchased food for a central BBQ, which fed approximately 35 neighbours. The community spirit shone through as everyone who attended contributed a side dish or dessert, resulting in a magnificent feast.
The event, held in June, faced a challenge: the weather was extremely hot and sunny, leading some neighbours to seek relief at the lake. We quickly adapted by scrambling to source and set up tents to provide much-needed shade. Despite the heat, the gathering was a great success, characterized by friendly interactions and delicious food.
A highlight of the event was the presence of Cumberland’s deputy fire chief alongside the NEPP representatives. These experts provided invaluable, practical information on FireSmart principles and Emergency Preparedness, distributing informative literature to all attendees. The engagement was excellent: many neighbours signed up for a FireSmart Assessment of their homes, and the kids had fun taking photos with the FireSmart mascot.
Moving forward, we are inspired to work towards the official designation of our community as a FireSmart Neighbourhood and are committed to making this block party an annual tradition.
We are incredibly grateful for your support. Our project successfully met its core objectives of strengthening community connection while providing crucial education on wildfire prevention and disaster readiness, significantly enhancing our neighbourhood’s resilience.
