About

• Terms of reference and TOIS Backgrounder
• TOIS Executive and Organizational Chart
• Roles and Responsibilities

Terms of Reference

Thompson Okanagan Interface Society (TOIS) consists of mandated agencies whose jurisdictions interact when emergent situations threaten the public's safety or property during a wildland/urban interface fire event. In addition to the mandated authorities, it includes representatives from the private sector service providers and the public.

The TOIS meets to discuss, review, coordinate, evaluate, plan, propose and express a common view on matters that evolve from the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and other concerning hazards, posing threats within the geographic area of the Thompson Okanagan.

TOIS (formerly TOIC) Backgrounder

In 1983 it was becoming evident to fire fighters that the potential for catastrophic losses from wildfire entering into developed areas within the Province of BC was on the increase. The possibility of wildfire destroying homes, businesses and threatening the lives of the people who live and work in these interface areas was their concern.

Under the leadership and vision of Dennis Hutcheson (retired BCFS Kamloops Fire Centre Manager) and Bob Hickey(retired Regional Fire Commissioner), they developed a team of other Government Officials and established the Thompson Okanagan Interface Committee (TOIC).

Since its beginning, the TOIC has expanded in scope and effectiveness to include advice on awareness and educational needs with regards to Planning, Prevention, Response, and Recovery not only concerning the threats of fire in the Wildland Urban Interface but also for other hazards. TOIC has been instrumental in developing both educational programs and materials for delivery to the general public, response agencies, stakeholders and industry alike. In 2011 the committee realized that is was prudent to establish a society in lieu of the original committee with the same Goals And Objectives of the original TOIC.

In March of 1993, TOIC’s inaugural Wildland Urban Interface Symposium was held in Kelowna where a manual was presented to all participants with the following TOIC goals and objectives:

Goal:

Provide information and direction to communities in their efforts to become “FireSafe”.

Objectives:

·         Maintain a strategy for prevention

·         Develop a sense of community ownership, and

·         Develop, support, and communicate options to reduce potential for catastrophic wildfire losses.

Development and expansion of the committee continued with Symposiums occurring in 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and in 2012.

As a result of the 2003 Wildfires and the recommendations from the Filmom Report the Committee was re-focused and the new slogan of “Working Towards a FireSmart Community” was established in order to be consistent with the new provincial focus of wildfire prevention.

With these changing time also came the need to keep pace and the committee was re-established as the Thompson Okanagan Interface Society which has the same Goals and Objectives as the original Thompson Okanagan Interface Committee.