Rebate program launched for FireSmart home renovations

Book a free home assessment to get started

The Municipality is launching a rebate program to help homeowners in the region use fire-resistant materials in home renovations.

“Living within the boreal forest, wildfire is the number one risk in our region. We must continue to weave FireSmart into our communities,” said Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz. “By assisting our residents in reducing the impact of wildfire on their homes and properties, we improve our community resiliency one home at a time.”

The FireSmart Home Rebate Program may provide a grant to eligible homeowners who get a FireSmart home assessment and complete the recommended work. The program is available in all communities in the municipality.

Eligible home upgrades:

• Roof replacement – up to $2,000 (e.g., repairing old/damaged asphalt shingles)
• Roof upgrade – up to $2,000 (e.g., replacing wood shake shingles with asphalt shingles)
• Deck upgrade – up to $1,000 (e.g., replacing wood decking with a fire-resistant material)
• Window upgrade – up to $1,000 (e.g., replacing single-pane windows with multi-pane windows)
• Fence/gate upgrade – up to $1,000 (e.g., replacing wooden fences or gates that attach to the home with a fire-resistant material)
• Siding upgrade – up to $4,000 (e.g., replacing vinyl siding with stucco)
• New home construction – eligible for a siding or decking upgrade rebate

To receive a rebate, residents must first book a free FireSmart Home Assessment online or by calling Pulse. Additional details on how to apply for a rebate will be provided during the assessment. 

How to receive a rebate:

STEP 1 - Request an Assessment

Request a free FireSmart Home Assessment at www.rmwb.ca/firesmart

Municipal staff will contact you to book an assessment when the homeowner can be present.

STEP 2 - Upgrade to fire-resistant material

Review the FireSmart Home Assessment report which is emailed to the homeowner after the assessment.

If any of the eligible projects (roofing, siding, decking, windows, fence/gate) are listed as not acceptable in the report, make a plan to upgrade the material to a fire-resistant option.

STEP 3 - Follow-up inspection

Take before and after pictures of the completed project and submit them to firesmart@rmwb.ca along with receipts.

Municipal staff will confirm if funding is still available and schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the upgrade and confirm rebate eligibility.

STEP 4 - Rebate

If the above criteria are met and funding is still available, a rebate cheque will be requested for the homeowner.

Homeowners will pick up their cheque at Firehall 5 (200 Saprae Creek Trail) where they will sign a release form and provide a copy of the government-issued ID.

Rebates will be provided on a first come, first serve basis after confirmation of the completed work by FireSmart team members.

The rebate program is being funded to a total of $100,000 for this year. Residents will be eligible to receive rebates until program funds have been exhausted, limited to one rebate per address and one rebate per homeowner.

Learn more about FireSmart at rmwb.ca/FireSmart .

For additional information or questions, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or rmwb.ca/pulse