By Barb Brouwer
Contributor
Protection and prevention are essential in dealing with both structural and wildfires.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District Fire Services has long provided top training in both areas and welcomes Len Youden in the role of deputy regional fire chief in charge of training.
Prior to joining the Ranchero Deep Creek Fire Department in 2018, Youden owned and operated a company that taught mountain skills and, until the end of April when he resigns, has taught strategy, operations management and supply chain and logistics at Okanagan University College (OUC).
Shortly after becoming a CSRD structural firefighter, Youden began crafting the regional FireSmart program. It is now recognized as one of the more robust programs in the province.
“We get constant feedback from province, are always asked to present at conferences and are always involved in major initiatives,” said Youden, who is excited by the prospect of a larger scope of work as deputy regional fire chief. “Having been with the FireSmart program, I got to know the issues across the regional district’s 13 fire halls, and the ability to play a leadership role is a huge appeal.”
As well, Youden said he has spent the past six years building relationships with members of all of the regional district’s fire departments and several other agencies, five First Nations communities and neighbouring municipalities.
Read more: Regional district seeks $1.2M to help FireSmart the Columbia Shuswap
Read more: CSRD looks to fill gaps in road rescue services in North Okanagan-Shuswap
While his primary focus will be the training program, Youden will share other responsibilities, particularly during major operational responses such as last summer’s wildfires. Working in the CSRD’s emergency operations centre allowed Deputy Fire Chief Sean Coubrough to take charge of operations on the Bush Creek East Wildfire in the North Shuswap.
Youden said the Fire Services operational component can be 24-7 and too much for one person’s workload.
In terms of his new role, he said the regional district has a very strong firefighter training program that is constantly evolving and being updated to make sure it is current and continues to deliver the same high-quality training that has been delivered over many years
“I am really excited, I’m thrilled and really looking forward to having an impact in our community,” he said. “The onboarding and orientation have been first class – way beyond what I expected.”
His enthusiasm is echoed by Derek Sutherland, General Manager, Community and Protective Services.
“We’re definitely happy to have him on-board,” he said. “We know that Len’s combination of education, leadership experience and firefighting skills will provide CSRD with more leadership capacity and will enable us to support our fire departments better.”
Coubrough is also thrilled about Youden joining CSRD Fire Services and the adult education experience, his leadership skills and his ability to take over management of the training program.
“He’s a uniter, a person people want to be around and an excellent communicator,” Coubrough said, noting his very heavy workload, which has been at peak capacity, with recent wildfires adding a new complexity and dimension to the job. “It’s definitely going to help alleviate some of the workload. There’s a lot of big changes and this change in particular is going to be a huge benefit to our firefighters and me personally.”