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FOI Request

Kyron Beaton
Journalism Student
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
12666 72nd Avenue
Surrey, B.C.
V7M 3H9

October 28, 2021

Jacqualine Griggs
Kamloops Fire Center
B.C. Wildfire Services
Airport Rd.
Kamloops, B.C.
V2B 7X2

Dear Ms. Griggs,

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following:

  • In electronic database format, from the years 2000 to 2021, within Zones K2 through K7, a raw count of suspicious fire reports that escalated to a police investigation.
I request that the data collected is put into an electronic worksheet format (i.e.: .xmlx, .cml, .csv). The reason for this is so that I am able to more easily work with the raw data for my research. Please refer to my email and phone number below for further contact.

Thank you for your time in reading this email, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Kyron Beaton
778-835-3271
kyronbeaton@gmail.com



FOI Explanation: According to my raw data I collected from my data analysis class, there were 28,658 cases of human-caused fires in the Kamloops region from 1950 to 2020, higher than any other fire center region. However, on the datasheet I obtained, it never goes into further depth as to how each individual person caused said fires. I can already infer that the majority of human-caused fires in that region were as a result of careless campers during the summer seasons, as many popular campgrounds are located in the Kamloops Fire Center region. That being said, during my research, I had discovered there being some notable cases of "firebugs", or repeat arsonists, that commit their crimes in the Kamloops region. Therefore, I would be able to subtract the total count of escalated incidents from the data I get from this FOI request, from the total count of  human-caused fire incidents from 2000 to 2021 in my data spreadsheet, in order to get the true number of non-arson related, human caused fires.

The way in which I managed to aggregate my data to find out which area each zone represented in my data spreadsheet was by matching the letters in front of each fire's code with the BC Fire Center map, and then referring back to the zone numbers on the datasheet to find the pattern between the two sets of data.

Sources:
  • https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/local-news/suspected-firebug-in-custody-after-series-of-blazes-set-in-downtown-kamloops-4449542
  • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r39CIq3GCqmz7BdZqtFrokbJ1IV5ekTVMtDTT5Ujp74/edit#gid=1565313315
  • https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-man-charged-after-camp-stove-causes-fire-near-kamloops/
  • https://dir.gov.bc.ca/gtds.cgi?show=Branch&organizationCode=FLNR&organizationalUnitCode=MOFKFC

Comments

  1. JayNovember 3, 2021 at 10:04 AM

    I like that your request is very specific and how you've mentioned that you've also done some research prior to request the FOI. You've also provided the links to where you did your research which is another plus.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacob Van LuvenNovember 3, 2021 at 12:51 PM

    I like how you mentioned that you would like to receive the documents in electronic format as this could help alleviate overall cost. You also gave the FOI coordinator specifics of how you would like to receive your data which will make it easier for you to assess when you receive it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Suneet GillNovember 6, 2021 at 12:12 AM

    I liked how you were direct with the Kamloops fire zones, as it showed you researched and thought-out exactly what you wanted material for. A suggestion would be to include a part about releasing the information that can be provided and to not withhold all material, as this request involves police investigations.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rois ChandNovember 7, 2021 at 1:50 PM

    Kyron, I think you did a great job. Your request is specific and the reasoning behind the request is great. Your prior research was thorough and I like your overall idea.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Farah El-Tabi ☺︎November 7, 2021 at 9:23 PM

    You chose a very current and salient topic, Kyron! With the forest fires that have tragically taken place recently, this FOI request topic is very appropriate and will in fact inform others of important and crucial information. I understand you attached your email adress at the end of your request, however, I do believe it's best if it's also mentioned at the top along with the rest of your contact information. When Ms. Griggs opens your request, she will have all your contact information in one place which makes things convenient! I appreciate how you gave a detailed number of human-caused fire cases. Your thorough research evidences your knowledge, understanding, and passion for the topic. A job well-done!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fabiha GaniNovember 8, 2021 at 6:49 AM

    i like the way you have crafted your request. its clean and straight to the point. however, i belive you should have mentioned your phone number and also, the resources that you have mentioned it would have been much better if you would have just hyperlinked them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Harmeet Singh GillNovember 8, 2021 at 9:31 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Harmeet Singh GillNovember 8, 2021 at 9:32 AM

    I really like the format of your foi request letter. The forest is a common issue now a days in B.C . There is bunch of information that can be achieved one this topic if they accept the request. The details about the topic are properly polished.

    ReplyDelete

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