In this episode of Finding Solutions with Dan Albas, Dan sits down with Jason Brolund, Fire Chief of West Kelowna Fire Rescue. Born and raised in the Central Okanagan, Chief Brolund has spent more than three decades in emergency services. After serving with the Kelowna Fire Department, including as Deputy Fire Chief, he became Fire Chief of West Kelowna Fire Rescue in 2015, serving both the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation. He became widely known for his leadership during the McDougall Creek Wildfire in August 2023, one of the most significant wildfire emergencies in our region’s history, and has since become a leading voice on wildfire resilience, emergency preparedness, and FireSmart principles in British Columbia and beyond, including at the United Nations. Important Note This interview was recorded on July 30, 2026. The conversation took place prior to several significant wildfire events that occurred in the Southern Interior in early August 2026, including the Quilpituk Creek Wildfire in the Central Okanagan and the Bald Range Wildfire (K51490) affecting portions of the Summerland and Peachland areas. Those events are therefore not discussed during this episode. In This Episode * Growing up in the Central Okanagan and what draws people into the fire service * Leadership lessons from the front lines to Fire Chief, including the value of relationships before an emergency hits * How rapid growth and taller buildings are changing the demands on West Kelowna Fire Rescue * Building capacity: full-time crews, Fire Hall 32 in Lakeview Heights, and a modern training centre * Firefighter health: mental wellness, cancer risk, decontamination, and gear treated with forever chemicals * McDougall Creek: when a fire behind the community becomes a community-wide emergency * “A hundred years of firefighting in one night,” mutual aid from across B.C., and the shift-change parade that still hangs in the hall * Lessons learned: embers crossing Okanagan Lake, bringing the public along through open media briefings, and telling the story of neighbours who fight fires * FireSmart that works: the immediate zone around the home, ember storms like snowstorms, and why prevention funding belongs at the front end of the problem * Human-caused fire, carelessness in the backcountry, and respect for fire across the whole community * An all-of-society message: we cannot build a fire department big enough to wait for the next McDougall Creek Throughout the discussion, Chief Brolund shares what it takes to lead through catastrophe, protect the people who run toward danger, and give residents practical steps that improve the odds when wildfire returns. About Jason Brolund Jason Brolund is Fire Chief of West Kelowna Fire Rescue. He serves the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation, and is a recognized voice on wildfire resilience, FireSmart, and emergency preparedness following the 2023 McDougall Creek Wildfire. Resources Mentioned * FireSmart BC and FireSmart Canada (including practical guides and the simple colouring-book checklist for households) * Your local fire department: Chief Brolund’s advice is to call your local fire chief with questions about making your home and neighbourhood more resilient About Okanagan Stories & Solutions Okanagan Stories & Solutions is a recurring segment of Finding Solutions with Dan Albas featuring local leaders, first responders, innovators, and community builders who are helping shape the future of the Okanagan through practical solutions and public service. Connect with Dan Albas 🌐 www.danalbas.com📘 Facebook: Dan Albas📸 Instagram: @danalbasmp𝕏 X (Twitter): @DanAlbas If you enjoyed this episode of Finding Solutions with Dan Albas, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. Together, we can continue finding solutions to the challenges facing our communities. Resources Mentioned * FireSmart BC – Home assessments, guides, videos, and wildfire preparedness resources: https://firesmartbc.ca/ * FireSmart Canada – National FireSmart resources and publications: https://firesmartcanada.ca/ * FireSmart Resources Library – Guides, homeowner resources, and checklists: https://firesmartcanada.ca/resources/ * PreparedBC – Emergency preparedness guides and household emergency planning: https://preparedbc.ca/ * BC Wildfire Service – Current wildfire information, restrictions, and preparedness resources: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status * Your Local Fire Department – Chief Brolund’s advice: contact your local fire department or fire chief if you have questions about making your home, property, or neighbourhood more wildfire resilient. Quick Start: Start with the FireSmart resources page and download the Home Ignition Zone Checklist and FireSmart Begins at Home Guide. They provide some of the simplest and most effective actions homeowners can take to reduce wildfire risk. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danalbas.substack.com
