City of Kelowna, FireSwarm Solutions and Okanagan College Launch Partnerships to Build B.C.’s Hub for Drone and Aerospace Innovation

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Sep 15

FireSwarm, the City of Kelowna at YLW Kelowna International Airport, and Okanagan College are collaborating to establish Kelowna as Canada’s Western hub for aerospace and drone innovation - bringing together industry, education, government and technology to build a safer, future-ready city and generate new economic opportunity.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — September 15, 2026 — 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.

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. 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.

"Innovation and collaboration are key drivers of Kelowna's growing 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. “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.”

Following a devastating wildfire season in the Okanagan, FireSwarm’s wildfire drone innovation is needed now more than ever. 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. 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. 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. At the same time, Kelowna is emerging as a national hub for investment and climate resilience.

"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. "We expect this collaboration to create new jobs at YLW and make a meaningful contribution to the Canadian economy. "

The MOUs build on an established aerospace ecosystem already in place at YLW Kelowna International 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.

OC is already a leading provider of AME and is actively expanding aerospace-related programs in the Okanagan region. Construction is underway on a new training hangar at YLW that will add new, purpose-built instructional space at the 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.

“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. Okanagan College is building that talent pipeline,” said Dr. Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College. “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.”

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. 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.

The three partners say their MOUs are intended as a starting point, rather than a single announcement.

"This is a catalyst for B.C.'s economic growth opportunities," said Alex Deslauriers, FireSwarm Solutions. "Collectively, we look forward to continued and enhanced federal, provincial and private partnership investments to advance this opportunity for B.C. and Canada."

About FireSwarm Solutions

FireSwarm Solutions builds autonomous, drone swarm technology for wildfire suppression, dual-use logistics and emergency response. The company partners with fire departments, municipalities and government to build FireSwarm-ready communities equipped to respond faster to wildfire and emergency risk. Its technology is developed for civilian emergency response and adaptable to broader defence and security needs.

About the City of Kelowna

Kelowna is home to more than 165,000 residents and is the largest city in British Columbia's Interior. 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. The region is also home to a top-ranked university, a world-class teaching hospital, and the second largest trade school in the 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.

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

Okanagan College is one of British Columbia’s largest public post-secondary institutions, serving students and communities across the Okanagan and Shuswap. 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. 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.