Peachlanders, please meet Nigel Thomas, Peachland Fire & Rescue Service’s new Deputy Fire Chief of Community Safety. Deputy Chief Thomas joined the department in July and brings to the role over 17 years of experience with the Summerland Fire Department, along with a background in electrical services and design.
His Community Safety responsibilities include oversight of the District’s FireSmart program, which he describes as one of the best in the province.
“I’m passionate about FireSmartBC and helping Peachland become more resilient to wildfire risks. I’m equally passionate about fire prevention, life safety, and public education. I enjoy working with residents, local businesses, and community partners to build a safer community through awareness, preparedness, and collaboration.”
Deputy Chief Thomas is interested in expanding Peachland’s FireSmart program, including pursuing additional funding from the provincial government and other partners. His goal is to support practical actions that help protect homes, neighbourhoods, and the broader community before an emergency occurs.
“FireSmart is about working together to reduce wildfire risk before an emergency happens. Through education, prevention, and mitigation, we can help build a safer, more prepared, and more resilient Peachland.”
Outside of work, Deputy Chief Thomas enjoys spending time outdoors. He is excited to bring his wife and two young daughters into the community and looks forward to becoming active members of Peachland while enjoying everything the area has to offer.
Please join us in welcoming Nigel and his family to Peachland!
2026 FIRESMART ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Highlights of the 2026 program:
- Home assessments: Trained paid-on-call members contributed 596 hours to assessment work on Peachland residents’ properties.
- Rebate program: A total of $48,900.00 was provided to residents through the rebate program.
- Public education: The program promoted simple and practical actions such as clearing roofs and gutters, pruning branches, removing combustible debris, and reducing flammable vegetation near structures.
- Outreach events: Multiple outreach events were delivered to residents to increase public awareness, answer questions, and encourage practical FireSmart action before and during wildfire season.
- FireSmart preparedness event: FireSmart supported wildfire preparedness event was held in May to promote seasonal readiness, mitigation actions, and resident participation in FireSmart services for Peachland residents.
- Yard waste vouchers: 225 yard waste vouchers were distributed to help residents remove combustible materials from their properties and reduce wildfire fuel loading near homes.
- Neighbourhood recognition: Peachland supports neighbourhoods seeking FireSmart recognition and currently identifies Trails at Ponderosa, Chateaux on the Lake, Bulyea, and Eagles View as FireSmart communities. Recognized neighbourhood cleanups also had yard waste bins funded by the program to support local fuel reduction efforts.
- 65+ mitigation support: Paid-on-call members contributed 152 hours to mitigation work on two properties through the 65+ program that assists Peachland’s senior residents.
- Greenspace mitigation: Paid-on-call members contributed 134 hours to the completed greenspace mitigation project at MacKinnon Park.
- W.A. Lang project: The W.A. Lang Wilderness Park fuel treatment project is included as a current municipal mitigation project, with completion expected in fall/winter 2026.
