Joint First Nations Fire Protection Strategy (2016-2021)

Press Release

Introduction

The Joint First Nations Fire Protection Strategy outlines areas of mutual collaboration between Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC) to promote fire protection on reserve. Commonly called the Fire Protection Strategy, it was first established for 2010-2015. With AFAC’s support, the strategy was refined in 2015 to be implemented April 2016.

The renewed strategy aims to improve fire protection over the next five years by identifying activities and expected results. INAC will continue to work in partnership with national fire expert organizations and other public or private stakeholder organizations.

A working group of representatives from INAC and AFAC will oversee the strategy. These two partners meet in February and August each year to evaluate the strategy’s progress against annual results and plan activities.

Although the 2010-2015 First Nations Fire Protection Strategy made progress in reducing fire related risks, both INAC and AFAC recognized a need to have a more focused approach for:

• partnership for First Nations fire service
• fire prevention education
• community standards
• fire service operational standards

The updated Joint First Nations Fire Protection Strategy identifies opportunities for INAC and AFAC to work together to improve fire protection in First Nation communities in 2016-2021.

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Background
• Pillar 1: Partnership for First Nations Fire Protection
• Pillar 2: Fire Prevention Education
• Pillar 3: Community Standards
• Pillar 4: Fire Service Operational Standards
• Conclusion
• Annex A: Proposed timeline
• Annex B: Schematic

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