By Juliet Kadzviti

First Nation communities hope to improve fire prevention

Mar 15, 2016 | 5:17 PM

Fire prevention strategies for First Nations communities can still be improved on, according to the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC).

Richard Kent, AFAC secretary and treasurer, spent a week in Ottawa as part of a delegation discussing ways to better combat fires.

“We discussed, (the need) for the federal government to establish a fire marshal/fire commissioner to support fire prevention, and enhance fire safety for First Nations communities. We don’t have that right now,” Kent said.

The delegation met with Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, to discuss the need for a specialized fire commissioner for First Nations communities.

Kent said the issue of fire inspections not being performed uniformly on all First Nations community was a major worry for firefighters and fire marshals.

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“We see the role of fire marshals and deputy fire marshals as (potentially) taking that role on and ensuring that public buildings (on all First Nations communities) meet the fire code.”

According to Kent some First Nations communities, such as the Prince Albert Tribal Council, have done their own fire inspections in the past, but he emphasized more consistency is required.

“It’s not the same across Canada. Each region is different, each tribal council maybe different, so we are not saying inspections aren’t happening. It’s just that before it used to be a federal department that did them all, and now… in some communities they are just not getting the inspections done, so that’s a concern for firefighters and fire service in general,” he said.

Kent said Bennett was willing to look at any proposals they may bring forward. AFAC aims to get a proposal to the federal government by early spring or early summer.

He also met Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, to discuss the need for more firefighting training. He said talks are still ongoing.

“We’re hopeful we’ll make some progress towards ensuring that…firefighters are a lot safer in their jobs.”

jkadzviti@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @julietkadzviti