FireSwarm Solutions is excited to announce new partnerships with the City of Kelowna and Okanagan College, highlighting the growing significance of YLW Kelowna International Airport as Canada’s largest municipally-owned and operated airport, and Kelowna’s emerging role as a hub for AI-enabled drone and aerospace innovation.
asserted
Solutions → announce → innovation
FireSwarm, a B.C. company based in Squamish, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Kelowna, and a second MOU with Okanagan College, committing to ongoing collaboration that will grow the company’s operations in the Interior.
asserted
that → base → Interior
The announcement was made at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver, whose 2026 theme, “Common Good,” reflects the spirit of this aerospace partnership built on shared effort between three sectors working toward the same goal.
asserted
theme → make → goal
“Innovation and collaboration are key drivers of Kelowna’s growing economy.
asserted
Innovation → grow → economy
As home to Canada’s largest municipally owned and operated airport at YLW, we’re proud to foster partnerships that bring together talent, ideas, and opportunity,” says City of Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.
asserted
Dyas → own → Kelowna
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward, creating the potential to advance wildfire resilience solutions, support high-quality jobs for future generations, and reinforce Kelowna’s reputation as a hub for innovation, investment, and economic growth.”
asserted
partnership → represent → innovation
Following a devastating wildfire season in the Okanagan, FireSwarm’s wildfire drone innovation is needed now more than ever.
asserted
innovation → follow → Okanagan
In 2025, FireSwarm and the Kelowna Fire Department brought a new approach to wildfire response to Knox Mountain, conducting an Integrated Training Exercise to demonstrate FireSwarm’s automated drone-swarm platform and its potential for wildfire suppression.
asserted
FireSwarm → bring → suppression
The test was conducted with observers from Transport Canada, BC Wildfire Service and other leading agencies, and was the first step towards FireSwarm’s partnership with the City.
asserted
test → conduct → City
Now, alongside YLW and OC, the group is positioning the region to showcase how technology and systems built for emergency response can also serve broader civilian, sovereign and dual-use needs.
asserted
technology → position → needs
At the same time, Kelowna is emerging as a national hub for investment and climate resilience.
asserted
Kelowna → emerge → investment
“Partnering with the City of Kelowna and Okanagan College lets FireSwarm grow our presence in a region that has shown itself to be forward-thinking, innovative, and one that knows firsthand what’s at stake when wildfire strikes,” said Alex Deslauriers, FireSwarm Solutions.
asserted
Deslauriers → partner → stake
“We expect this collaboration to create new jobs at YLW and make a meaningful contribution to the Canadian economy.
asserted
collaboration → expect → economy
”
The MOUs build on an established aerospace ecosystem already in place at YLW Kelowna International Airport.
asserted
MOUs → build → Airport
FireSwarm’s partnership with Okanagan College reflects a joint commitment to develop and launch new programs that would allow aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) to be trained in drone-specific technologies and structures.
asserted
engineers → reflect → technologies
OC is already a leading provider of AME and is actively expanding aerospace-related programs in the Okanagan region.
asserted
OC → lead → region
Construction is underway on a new training hangar at YLW that will add new, purpose-built instructional space at the airport.
asserted
that → add → airport
Capital construction of the new facility has been funded through the BPL Legacy Association and the College, and allows OC to plan for new programs directly supporting Kelowna’s growing aerospace sector - including avionics, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) technologies, and manufacturing.
asserted
OC → fund → avionics
“Kelowna has an opportunity to become a leader in the next generation of aerospace and aviation, and that requires more than technology - it requires people with the skills to put that technology to work.
asserted
it → have → work
Okanagan College is building that talent pipeline,” said Dr. Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College.
asserted
Fassina → build → pipeline
“Our partnership with FireSwarm will help ensure aircraft maintenance engineers and other aerospace professionals are equipped for an industry increasingly shaped by uncrewed systems, AI and advanced manufacturing, while our new training facility at YLW gives us the space to turn that opportunity into workforce-ready training.”
asserted
facility → help → training
For Okanagan College, the partnership with FireSwarm and broader ongoing collaboration with the City of Kelowna and Kelowna International Airport reflects the critical connection between education and a rapidly growing industry.
asserted
partnership → reflect → education
As aerospace employers expand at YLW, the College is committed to developing the programs and workforce needed to support that growth, ensuring local talent is ready to fill emerging roles and helping establish Kelowna nationally as a competitive centre for aerospace innovation.
asserted
talent → expand → innovation
The three partners say their MOUs are intended as a starting point, rather than a single announcement.
asserted
MOUs → say → point
“This is a catalyst for B.C.‘s economic growth opportunities,” said Alex Deslauriers, FireSwarm Solutions.
asserted
Deslauriers → say → opportunities
“Collectively, we look forward to continued and enhanced federal, provincial and private partnership investments to advance this opportunity for B.C. and Canada.”
asserted
we → look → B.C.
About FireSwarm Solutions
FireSwarm Solutions builds autonomous, drone swarm technology for wildfire suppression, dual-use logistics and emergency response.
asserted
Solutions → build → suppression
The company partners with fire departments, municipalities and government to build FireSwarm-ready communities equipped to respond faster to wildfire and emergency risk.
asserted
company → partner → risk
Its technology is developed for civilian emergency response and adaptable to broader defence and security needs.
asserted
technology → develop → needs
As one of Canada’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, Kelowna is recognized as a dynamic regional hub with an exceptional quality of life and a diverse, innovation-driven economy spanning aerospace, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, construction, technology, healthcare, tourism, culture and entrepreneurship.
asserted
Kelowna → grow → aerospace
The region is also home to a top-ranked university, a world-class teaching hospital, and the second largest trade school in the province.
asserted
region → rank → province
The City owns and operates YLW Kelowna International Airport, the ninth busiest in the country, generating an annual economic impact of $2.08 billion.
asserted
City → own → billion
Learn more about the 2025 Kelowna Fire Department FireSwarm drone test: Kelowna Fire Department test drives new drone tech to combat wildfires | City of Kelowna
About Okanagan College
asserted
test → learn → College
Okanagan College is one of British Columbia’s largest public post-secondary institutions, serving students and communities across the Okanagan and Shuswap.
asserted
College → serve → Okanagan
With campuses in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm, the College delivers career-focused education and training designed to meet the evolving needs of students, employers and communities.
asserted
College → deliver → students
Through strong partnerships with industry, Indigenous communities, government and other organizations, Okanagan College connects learning with opportunity, developing the skilled, workplace-ready talent that drives innovation, strengthens communities and supports economic growth across the region and beyond.
asserted
that → connect → region
The Aporia
