KEEPING KNUTSFORD SAFE

Knutsford Community Response Society (KCRS) is a registered charity dedicated to protecting the safety and well-being of our rural community south of Kamloops, BC.

KCRS was formed following the community's extraordinary response to the Ross Moore Lake Wildfire in 2023. The fire burned for seven weeks and had a significant impact on Knutsford. It showed us how important it is for a rural community to be prepared and able to respond quickly when an emergency occurs.

Today, KCRS provides financial and organizational support to the Knutsford Initial Response Team (KIRT), a team of 18 local volunteers. KIRT focuses on three priorities: Preparation, Readiness and Rapid Response. Through training, practice, education, equipment and emergency callouts, our volunteers build the skills and resources needed to respond quickly and safely to wildfires and other emergencies.

A key part of this preparedness is our fully equipped emergency response truck, which carries firefighting equipment, hoses and essential supplies so KIRT can mobilize quickly when needed. KCRS also prioritizes the safety of our volunteers by investing in personal protective equipment (PPE) and ongoing training.

KIRT works cooperatively with BC Wildfire Service, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, local ranchers and other community partners. Since KIRT began, our volunteers have responded to 12 incident callouts—sometimes stopping fires before they could spread, and other times being first on scene and quickly alerting BC Wildfire Service to ensure a timely response.

KIRT's experience has also attracted interest from other rural communities. KCRS shares its knowledge and experience with communities interested in developing their own local wildfire response teams, helping build preparedness and resilience beyond Knutsford.

KCRS is building a community that is prepared, connected and ready to act when it matters most.