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Crew History

The Sto:lo Trailblazers Unit Crew was established in 1994 as a First Nations Unit Crew. The crew is based at the edge of Hope, situated at the foot of Dog Mountain, alongside the Fraser River and surrounded by ancient trees and historic log buildings. This location provides the crew with a distinctive environment to train and operate.

The Trailblazers Unit Crew members are equipped to handle the unique challenges of the coastal region, including oversized tree falls and steep slopes. Their base operations include an initial attack (IA) program, which provides a broad scope of wildfire suppression tactics and specialized training. In addition to standard unit crew tasks, the Trailblazers are proficient in long-distance hose lays, fuel frees, steep terrain gear hauls, and helipad construction. They also demonstrate exceptional skill in hover exit/entry maneuvers and use fire suppression equipment designed for 3-person initial attack crews.

Recognizing the physical and mental demands of these tasks, the Trailblazers prioritize fitness by dedicating time each day to exercises aimed at enhancing crew performance in all aspects. The crew’s operations are essential to the Fraser Fire Zone, which has the largest population in British Columbia. As a result, the Trailblazers often collaborate with local resources to ensure swift responses, particularly in high-density areas requiring immediate action.

The skills and expertise developed by the Trailblazers are not confined to regional operations; they are a recognized provincial and national resource. In addition to their core responsibilities, the Trailblazers contribute to the maintenance of trails within nearby Provincial Parks, further supporting the region’s infrastructure. The crew’s ability to respond effectively to both local and large-scale incidents exemplify their critical role in wildfire suppression and emergency response throughout the province and beyond.

Patches

Crew Supervisor

A. Davidson – 2022 – Current

V. Selina – 2019 – 2021

G. Meuwissen – 2018

V. Upshaw – 2007 – 2017

J. Nymeyer – 2006

R. Bolan – 1995 – 2005

H. James – 1994

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