Nora Hannon, the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Senior Advisor, has been named one of five women in the country to receive a Lynn Orstad Award.
Sponsored by the Co-operators, the prestigious Lynn Orstad Award celebrates the dedication, passion, and leadership of women who have contributed to wildfire risk reduction, community resilience, and emergency management.
Hannon received the recognition for her work advancing wildfire resiliency across the RDCK, playing a key role in making the Regional District one of the leading regions in British Columbia for wildfire resiliency.
Hannon has worked in her current role since 2024 but has been with the RDCK since 2016.
Throughout her tenure, she has played a vital role in advancing the region’s FireSmart program, which is one of the oldest and largest in the province.
“We were one of the first to deliver some of the programs that we continue to deliver today, like the Home Partners Program, which as of this year was renamed the Wildfire Mitigation Program, and the Neighbourhood Recognition Program. We’ve built up a program over the years that is one of the largest of its kind,” explained Hannon.
Hannon initiated piloting and growing these programs, carrying the initiatives forward with her in her role as the Regional Fire Chief.
She stepped into her role as Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Senior Advisor in January 2024 to build on the Wildfire Resiliency Program, and while she feels honoured to receive the Lynn Orstad Award, she shares the achievement with her team and the community.
“I’m very honoured, but we have a strong team at the RDCK when it comes to FireSmart resiliency and FireSmart efforts. It really is a team effort between staff at the RDCK, our regional fire services staff, volunteers, and residents to work towards being FireSmart. I’m humbled to receive it, but I really feel like it’s a team effort.”
Hannon was presented with the award at the 2025 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit, held from April 14-18, 2025.
The Lynn Orstad Award is named after Lynn Orstad, who was an advocate for wildfire resilience.
Following her passing in 2021, this award ensures that her work and mentorship continue, empowering women to enter careers in emergency management and wildfire resiliency.
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