More topics

Wildfire Dispatch and Reporting Centre

Last updated on October 30, 2025

On this page:

Dispatchers and reporting clerks provide critical communications support between the public, coordination centres and operations in the field. 

Dispatchers are employed at each of the province’s six fire centres, providing the communication link between the wildfire coordination centres to aircraft and personnel in the field and they implement pre-approved fire control decisions. Dispatchers must be able to stay calm and focused in emergency situations, know how to multitask effectively, have good written and verbal communication skills, be a team player, and be willing to work extended periods with minimal time off during the summer. 

Reporting clerks are employed at the Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre (PWRC) in Victoria, B.C. The PWRC operates year-round and is the Province’s first line of communication for the public to report wildfires and activities or behaviour that may cause a wildfire and other natural hazard incidents. The PWRC is a critical link that helps inform BC Wildfire Service, creating situational awareness and supporting rapid operational decision-making about emergency response to wildfire and other natural hazard incidents.

Wildfire Dispatch

Provincial Airtankers

Wildfire Reporting Centre

Roles and Responsibilities

The work is characterized by multiple demands, interruptions, time critical requests, and changes of pace throughout the day. Attention to detail is very important and the nature of the work requires professionalism and discretion to ensure confidentiality. Dispatchers and reporting clerks must be able to work accurately and efficiently under stressful and prolonged circumstances. Learn more about the responsibilities of each position below. 

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Fire Centre Dispatch

A dispatcher fills a vital and highly technical role that involves:

  • Receiving and responding to initial fire reports;
  • Handling all radio transmissions;
  • Monitoring and implementing all safety procedures for personnel, aircraft and equipment;
  • Transmitting, receiving, relaying and documenting communications between various individuals and groups;
  • Operating computer equipment and applications to access and track wildfires, fire weather, forecasts, indices, weather station observations, lightning location, aircraft management and advanced fire management;
  • Receive fire updates and fire hazard information, record all required information, and forward it to all relevant personnel;
  • Maintain and record a daily log of wildfire activity;
  • Implement or assist with the implementation of emergency response procedures to downed aircraft or other emergency situations as required;
  • Working independently at times and also directly with any number of other team members as required;
  • Multitasking, prioritizing, organizing, and completing workload while remaining flexible to changing conditions;
  • Taking on other projects and tasks as needed.

Dispatcher Job Profile

 

Airtanker Dispatch

The Airtanker Dispatcher rotates between Dispatching & Logistics ensure coordinated and efficient air tanker operations. This role will involve:

  • Receiving and responding to airtanker requests;
  • Following flights and re-directing aircraft;
  • Maintaining and recording wildfire activity;
  • Tracking bookings, flight reports;;
  • Requesting fuel and other logistical needs for aircraft & crew;
  • Multitasking, prioritizing and organizing workload in a rapidly changing environment;
  • Taking on targeted projects and training opportunities to further develop staff into a deployable resource.
 

Provincial Wildfire Reporting Clerk

A reporting clerk provides frontline service to both the public and the BC Wildfire Service, involving:

  • Receiving inboard contact from the public, clients, partners and stakeholders reporting wildfires and other all hazard incidents;
  • Triaging multiple sources of communications including email, multiple telephone system and the BCWS Mobile App;
  • Interpreting incident reports geographically, accurately recording and dispatching the information to fire centre and/or emergency management partners; 
  • Working independently at times and also directly with any number of other team members as required;
  • Multitasking, prioritizing, organizing, and completing workload while remaining flexible to changing conditions;
  • Taking on other projects and tasks as needed.

Reporting Clerk Job Profile

Application Process

Applications to become a seasonal dispatcher with the BC Wildfire Service for 2026 will open separately for each location. Refer to the following job opportunity pages for up to date job postings: 

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Provincial Airtanker Centre - Headquarters - Kamloops, B.C

Attn: Olivia Bliss
patc@gov.bc.ca

 

Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre - Headquarters - Victoria, B.C.

 

Cariboo Fire Centre - Williams Lake, B.C.

Attn: Tracy Freeman
BCWS.CAFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

Coastal Fire Centre - Parksville, B.C.

Attn: Kaitlin Pace
BCWS.COFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

Kamloops Fire Centre - Kamloops, B.C.

Attn: Erica Ducommun
BCWS.KFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

Northwest Fire Centre - Smithers, B.C.

Attn: Josh Fouillard
BCWS.NWFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

Prince George Fire Centre - Prince George, B.C.

Attn: Amber Potter
BCWS.PGFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

Southeast Fire Centre - Castlegar, B.C. 

Attn: Georgia Derby
BCWS.SEFCDispatch@gov.bc.ca

 

What you need to know before you apply

Are you eligible to apply?

Before you apply for a position, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. All positions in the BC Public Service require that applicants are eligible to work in Canada.

  • To be eligible to work in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration Act. Eligibility to work in Canada is granted through citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit.
  • You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to accept a permanent job offer (unless stated otherwise in the posting).
  • If you have a valid temporary work permit, you may be eligible for temporary (auxiliary) work but only until your work permit expires or is renewed. For information on temporary work permit requirements, go to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Preferred qualifications

It is the responsibility of candidates to clearly identify on both their resume and application how they meet the preferred qualifications. Meeting all the preferred qualifications is not required, but an applicant should clearly demonstrate how they meet as many of the qualifications as they can. Generally, an applicant would be required to show strong examples in two or three of the preferred qualifications to be considered for an interview. The BC Wildfire Service is looking for applicants who have a well-rounded set of skills and experiences that show their ability to work well on a team, an ability to solve problems, pay attention to detail, and remain flexible to changing conditions for an extended period of time.          

Timeline

The recruiting process can be quite lengthy, running from the application deadline in January to a job offers anywhere between February to May. There will also be an Eligibility List established for any positions that open throughout the year. The BC Wildfire Service makes every effort to keep candidates informed on their status during this time by email and phone, but it is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their contact information is current throughout the process. If an applicant is no longer being considered, the BC Wildfire Service will advise the applicant as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Q: Is the online application the only way to apply?

A: Yes, all applications are received on behalf of the BC Wildfire Service by the BC Public Service Agency. The application process consists of creating a profile, filling out a questionnaire and uploading your resume. To apply please look for the link posted by the end of November. Email, paper or faxed copies will not be accepted.

 

Q: How can I get feedback on my application or interview?

A: Due to the large volume of applications we are unable to provide individual feedback for applications. Applicants must clearly detail in the questionnaire any preferred qualifications they meet in order to be considered.

The interview panel may be able to provide general feedback from your interview when it is conducted but will not be able to tell you how well you did in relation to other interviewees.

 

Q: How can I update my contact information?

A: Please refer to the instructions on the application site to update your contact information.

 

Q: Why is multitasking so important?

A: Dispatchers are required to monitor various computer programs and radio channels. Activity in the dispatch centre is often hectic and dispatchers who are unable to multitask effectively will not be able to handle the increased activity.

 

Q: What if I want to apply to multiple locations?

A: You may apply to more than one location, but you must apply to each Fire Centre you are interested in. Applying to one location does not indicate an application to any other centre.

 

Q: What happens next after I apply?

A: After the application deadline and if your application passes the initial screening, you will be contacted by email and advised of the the next steps in the process. Depending on the number of applicants, an assessment (e.g. written assignment, typing test, MS Office skills check, etc.) may occur prior to the interview stage. If your application is not successful, you are still encouraged to reapply the following year.

 

Q: How can I get more information about the position?

A: You may contact the person listed under the relevant fire centre with further questions about the position.

 

Q: How many applications do you receive and how many jobs are there?

A: On average the BC Wildfire Service receives 200-400 dispatcher applications each year. There are approximately 50 dispatchers in total across B.C. The number of available jobs changes from year to year, ranging from 10 for a slow year, to over 25 for a high turnover year.

 

Q: What is the difference between dispatchers at Regional Fire Centres, the Provincial Airtanker Centre and the Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre?

A: The Dispatcher Roles and Responsibilities described above apply to all dispatchers in BC Wildfire Service but best describe what dispatchers can expect when they work at Fire Centres. The Provincial Airtanker Centre (PATC) is located in Kamloops at the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre. PATC dispatchers are responsible for responding to airtanker requests and dispatching the appropriate Airtanker resources under the direction of the Provincial Airtanker Coordination Officer. The Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre (PWRC) is responsible for providing call centre client services for members of the public reporting wildfires and other natural hazard incidents. The PWRC operates year-round and is the Province’s first line of communication for the public to report wildfires and activities or behaviour that may cause a wildfire and other natural hazard incidents.