About Us
Big White Fire Department
Big White Ski Resort, or simply Big White, is a ski resort located 56 km (35 mi) southeast of Kelowna in the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Located on Big White Mountain, the highest summit in the Okanagan Highland, an upland area between the Monashee Mountains and the Okanagan Valley, it is the second largest resort in British Columbia after Whistler-Blackcomb.
Chief’s Message
Welcome to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary – Big White Fire Department website.
We are a composite fire department dedicated to providing our community with a wide range of services, including fire suppression and prevention, fire and life safety presentations, public assistance, emergency medical response, auto extrication, and rope rescue. Additionally, we provide road rescue services for over 90 km of Big White Road and Highway 33 to Carmi, as well as emergency medical response for the residents of Idabel Lake.
On average, we respond to 280 emergencies per year, with the majority occurring between November and April. In 2013, our department was selected to participate in a pilot project with the Emergency Health Services Commission. This initiative allowed us to train our members to the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level of care, enabling them to perform enhanced medical protocols to improve patient care while awaiting BC Emergency Health Services paramedics.
Our full-time work experience firefighters are part of an innovative Work Experience Program (WEP) that runs annually for 11 months, from June to April. Now in its 23rd year, this program enables us to staff our fire station 24/7, year-round. The program has gained widespread recognition across Canada and internationally, with over 89% of its graduates securing career positions in the fire service.
We operate out of a single fire hall, Station 311, which is located at 7555 Porcupine Road, Big White. Our fleet includes one engine, one ladder truck, one rescue truck, two command vehicles, and one utility vehicle.
I encourage you to explore our website and, if you have the opportunity, visit us at Big White Ski Resort. Big White is a world-class ski resort community with a summer population of approximately 400 residents and a winter population exceeding 25,000 during peak ski season. In addition to its famous winter offerings, including our renowned Okanagan champagne powder, Big White also provides summer activities such as downhill biking and hiking.
Whether you visit in summer or winter, be sure to explore our neighbouring community of Kelowna to experience the incredible attractions the southern Okanagan has to offer.
Non-Emergencies Contact Information
Fire Chief: Josh Foster
Deputy Fire Chief – Operations & Training: Dominic Carlile
Deputy Fire Chief – Prevention & Life Safety:
Phone: 250.765.3090 | Toll Free: 877.216.3909
Join our Team
We are a composite fire department with approximately 40 dedicated paid-on-call firefighters. We provide protection to the village of Big White and the Big White Ski Resort, which has a capacity of 25,000 people and accommodations for 20,000 people.
Join our Team
We are a composite fire department with approximately 40 dedicated paid-on-call firefighters. We provide protection to the village of Big White and the Big White Ski Resort, which has a capacity of 25,000 people and accommodations for 20,000 people.
