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WESTERN CANADA’s BEST TEAM FOR THE MOST REMOTE  CHALLeNGES

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WHO WE ARE

Empowering Remarkable Achievements

At Vancouver Island Forest and Marine, our team of resilient individuals takes pride in their skills, supporting one another and our partners. Since 2003, we’ve built a reputation for integrity and accountability,  propelling change in the resource sector through sustainable practices and continuous growth.

HIGHLIGHTS

01/03
02/03
03/03

Over 20 years of experience

With over two decades of service, Vancouver Island Forestry and Marine continues to deliver for our partners through extreme logistics and sustainable practices. We’ve honed our expertise across diverse sectors, adapting to the evolving challenges of the resource industry.

EXPERIENCED NETWORK OF PARTNERS

Vancouver Island Forest and Marine Companies’ range of services covers accommodations, forestry, and training. We have an extensive network of problem solvers within all the industries we operate in, enabling us to better support our partners when complexities arise.

Empowering Forestry Professionals

Vancouver Island Forest and Marine understands the evolving requirements of the forestry industry. We provide training, qualification and certification, and opportunities to secure a future in forestry. With adaptable training programs, we empower you to become a certified industry professional.

HIGHLIGHTS

01/03
02/03
03/03

Over 20 years of experience

With over two decades of service, Vancouver Island Forestry and Marine continues to deliver for our partners through extreme logistics and sustainable practices. We’ve honed our expertise across diverse sectors, adapting to the evolving challenges of the resource industry.

AN EXPERIENCED NETWORK OF PARTNERS

VIFM Companies’ range of services covers accommodations, forestry, and training. We have an extensive network of problem solvers within all the industries we operate in, enabling us to better support our partners when complexities arise.

Empowering Forestry Professionals

VIFM understands the evolving requirements of the forestry industry. We provide training, qualification and certification, and opportunities to secure a future in forestry. With adaptable training programs, we empower you to become a certified industry professional.

OUR HISTORY

2003

Pioneered unique single-stem harvesting methods specific to high-value and selective logging operations, unlocking new areas of harvest for our clients in environmentally sensitive areas.

Expanded into conventional logging operations utilizing niche cable yarding techniques.

2004

2005

Diversified from in-house falling services to providing contract services to the industry. Offering services to remote communities in Western Canada.

Marking a key pivot in our journey we expanded throughout coastal British Columbia and began working for B.C. Wildfire services.

2006

2010

Assembled a forestry engineering team to support current operations and expanded our services to new clients throughout coastal British Columbia.

In response to the economic downturn, we downsized and  sold our  equipment, shifting focus to retaining and nurturing our people.

2013

2016

The shift in our offering was beneficial and by 2016, the demand for our services in a changing landscape enabled us to become the largest falling contractor in British Columbia.

After a decade of utilizing barges for camp operations, we purchased our first marine camp and put it to work. A milestone in the evolution of VIFM, and a game-changer in remote operations.

2020

2021

Acquired four additional camps, strengthening our presence in the resource sector and remote communities.

Our barges gained recognition outside of the forestry sector. This led to a breakthrough for remote camp operations, expanding the use of our marine camps into a variety of other industries.

2022

LEADERSHIP TEAM

THE CONSTANT IS CHANGE

VIFM embodies a legacy of forestry expertise and innovative sustainability. Founded in 2003 by Jason Kemmler and Bridger Schmidt, our dynamic growth and expanding group of companies drive progressive change in the resource sector.

VIFM HEADSHOTS [BRIDGER]

BRIDGER SCHMIDT

CEO / Co-Founder

1 (250) 709-5933

bridger@vifm.ca

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Jason edit

JASON KEMMLER

GM / Co-Founder

1 (250) 701-1911

jason@vifm.ca

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VIFM HEADSHOTS [THEO]

THEO KREBS

GM / Faller Training and Development

1 (250) 710-6859

theo@vifm.ca

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Clare edit

CLARE HANNIGAN

Operations Manager / Marine Accommodations

1 (604) 621-1988

clare@vifm.ca

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VIFM HEADSHOTS [DAVE]

DAVE ALTROWS

GM / EMERGENCY SERVICES

dave@vifm.ca

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VIFM HEADSHOTS [CLARK]

CLARK LANSDOWNE

GM / CO – FOUNDER

clark@vifm.ca

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HEALTH & SAFETY

We prioritize health and safety in the resource industry through regular meetings, compliance enforcement, and ongoing training. Comprehensive staff orientation ensures adherence to Safe Work Procedures, while our Safety Program and bi-weekly meetings drive continuous improvement, job standards, and service excellence.

COMMITTED TO ELEVATING EXPECTATIONS

JOIN A DRIVEN TEAM

Join Vancouver Island Forest and Marine, where our dedicated team, founded by industry experts, embraces challenges and champions accountability, tenacity, and sustainable practices in the most remote areas of Western Canada.

CAREERS

Contact

ADDRESS

127 Ingram St. Duncan, BC V9L 3X5

HOURS

Mon-Fri – 9:00am – 5:00pm

GENERAL INQUIRIES

1 (250) 597-4677

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VIFM HEADSHOTS [BRIDGER]

BRIDGER SCHIMDT

CEO / CO-FOUNDER
BIO

Hailing from Cranbrook, B.C., Bridger grew up captivated by the natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies. An avid outdoorsman from an early age, his passions for mountaineering, mountain biking, and hiking charted the course of his career.

 

Bridger saw his future in gaining hands-on experience in the wilderness. It wasn’t long before he discovered a seamless intersection between his love for climbing trees and the forestry industry. Bridger became an industrial forestry climber specializing in wind-firming and single-stem climbing. This venture led him to cross paths with Jason Kemmler, a meeting that sparked a collaborative entrepreneurial journey.

 

Apart from forestry, Bridger has ventured into various fields like community tree trimming, septic installation, remote lodging, eco-tourism, and land development. His diverse skill set and innovative approach have solidified him as a key player in the forestry industry and beyond.

Jason edit

JASON KEMMLER

GM / CO-FOUNDER
BIO

Based in the scenic Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, Jason is a seasoned professional who has devoted his years to work and play across Coastal British Columbia. Straight out of high school, he delved into the forest industry, crafting his career through hands-on labor.

 

In 2005, Jason co-founded VIFM, focused on specialized services in forestry, such as wind-firming, single-stem harvesting, and heli-pad construction. Over the past 18 years, he has continually engaged with the industry and the distinct Coastal and Indigenous communities that shape the region.

 

Jason enjoys outdoor adventures, whether that’s hiking, hunting, or a round of golf, often accompanied by his family.

VIFM HEADSHOTS [THEO]

THEO KREBS

GM / FALLER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
BIO

Hailing from Nelson, BC, Theo is an industry stalwart who spent his formative years deeply connected to forestry and biology. His journey in the forest began at the age of 13 with brushing and planting, setting the foundation for his career.

 

By 19, Theo had moved to Fort Nelson to work for the BC Wildfire Service, where he dedicated six years. He later transitioned to Coastal Falling Operations before assuming his current role as Operations and General Manager of our Training Division for Vancouver Island Forest and Marine Group. Theo is driven by innovation and the aspiration to refine standard operational practices.

 

Outside the professional realm, Theo is an avid outdoor enthusiast, embracing activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and hiking.

Clare edit

CLARE HANNIGAN

OPERATIONS MANAGER / MARINE ACCOMMODATIONS
BIO

Born in Dublin in 1980, Clare discovered her love for the ocean early on, spending her youth windsurfing and kayaking on Blessington Lake. Clare’s Canadian journey began in 1998 when she fell head over heels for the west coast. Over her 25-year career, Clare advanced from a dockhand to a general manager, shaping a variety of marine facilities on the Central Coast and Vancouver Island.

 

In addition to operational roles, Clare has crafted training manuals and been instrumental in sales and marketing. She also offers mentorship in marine disciplines and is a certified Hard Plate Chrome Technician.

 

When Clare is not immersed in work, her interests span art, fishing, ballet, swimming, and essentially anything related to the ocean and the outdoors.

VIFM HEADSHOTS [DAVE]

DAVE ALTROWS

GM / EMERGENCY SERVICES
BIO

Residing in Williams Lake, B.C, Dave is an accomplished leader within the Emergency Response community.

 

Dave possesses a unique skill set and perspective within Forestry. During his 18-year career with the BC Wildfire service, and 10 plus years as a small business owner in the forestry sector, Dave has and continues to provide leadership, mentorship and support for communities and their members as they look to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from local emergencies. As General Manager of our Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, Dave leans on his hands-on experience, diverse network, and project management experience to best serve First Nations and Remote Communities.