Current Burning Permissions
Effective 12 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 the Category 1 open fire (campfire) prohibition in the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will be rescinded. There remains a Category 2 and Category 3 Fire Ban.
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Join Our Team
Employment Opportunities
Please visit the CVRD Website to find an extensive list of all the current employment opportunities available with Emergency Management Cowichan & CVRD.
Volunteer with EMC
EMC Volunteers are on standby to support their community during an emergency. Training is held both in-person and online depending on the nature of course.
EMC Volunteer Requirements:
- 18+ years of age and in good health.
- Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers need to have access to a vehicle and recognize that deployments do occur at all hours of the day or night, throughout the Cowichan region, and possibly adverse weather conditions.
- Have a phone and email address.
- Be compassionate, adaptable, and responsible; be able to clearly communicate; and have good listening skills.
- Be willing to participate and attend training and incidents in the Cowichan region.
How to Register as an EMC Volunteer
1
Get in touch with EMC to learn more about our volunteer program. Connect with us at Community Events or contact EMC directly at general@emcowichan.ca
2
Identify volunteer areas that interest you in the EMC Volunteer Program.
3
Complete a criminal record check.
4
Register through EMC as a Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer and receive your Provincial Volunteer ID.
5
Receive free training and be deployed to respond to emergencies in your community.
EMC Volunteer Interest Areas
Emergency
Support Services
Support Services
Coordinate 72 hours of support for evacuees (from a house fire to a flood) in the Cowichan region. Includes single household evacuations to regional evacuations from large disasters.
Emergency
Radio
Radio
Emergency Radio communications are the last line of defense during a massive communications outage. Put your amateur radio certificate to use.
Emergency Preparedness
& Community Engagement
& Community Engagement
Be a champion for emergency preparedness out in our comunities. Volunteer with EMC to support community preparedness initiatives, provide support at farmers' markets and other events, or support the FireSmart program in neighbourhoods across the region.
General
Support Activities
Support Activities
During an event, provide general duties to support the emergency operations centre, assess a community that has been impacted after a disaster, or provide situational awareness and asset management for emergency responders.
Disaster Animal
Response Team
Response Team
Volunteer with the BC SPCA to support to pets evacuated from house fires or support a emergency pet care shelter during a large scale evacuation. (External Opportunity).
Volunteer Application Form
