Support for the NIFSC

A resolution passed by the Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) passed a resolution in support of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association (AFAC) in December 2017. At that time, the Special Chiefs in Assembly directed the AFN to support AFAC in its creation and implementation of what is now known as the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC). The Special Chiefs Assembly resolved that AFAC and NIFSC be collaborative with First Nation leadership to ensure that the council incorporates the needs of the communities it serves.

This Resolution signifies that AFAC and the NIFSC are living their values, taking a for us, by us approach to problem-solving. Together, the AFN and the NIFSC are working collaboratively, ensuring that the distinct voices of each organization and the communities they represent are heard and valued as we work together to improve fire and life safety issues in Indigenous communities.

This collaboration between the NIFSC and the AFN signifies our prioritization of the role that national Indigenous organizations, like the AFN, will have in guiding the direction of the NIFSC. Ultimately, Indigenous communities and leadership, not the Project itself, will define what success means for the NIFSC.

RESOLUTION LETTER

Community Show of Support

Interested in formalizing your support with the NIFSC?

Letters of support from the communities we serve helps to demonstrate the need for the programs and services offered by the NIFSC. It guides funding and legislative bodies in understanding the importance of the project. Your letters of support exhibit that need, and help to ensure the longevity of the NIFSC.

If you’ve attended one of our workshops or participated in one of our programs and would like to show your support for this project, please download a template letter of support to help establish and promote ongoing cooperation, collaboration, and information sharing.

With your support, we can continue to improve fire and life safety in your community and others.

Signed Letters of Support

• Mistissini Fire Department, Mistissini, Quebec

• Bigstone Cree Nation, Wabasca, Alberta

• Blood Tribe, Standoff, Alberta

Support the National Incident Reporting System (NIRS)

In order to address the need for fire-related data, and to refine our approach, a National Incident Reporting System (NIRS) has been created to capture fire-related incidents, specifically on reserve.

The purpose of the NIRS is to identify the origin and circumstances of incidents. This will draw attention to areas of concern including social factors such as housing conditions, age, and the presence of working smoke alarms. This initiative, however, requires a long-term commitment. It will require several years before the data obtained is substantial enough to support evidence-informed decision making. To learn more about the NIRS, visit our webpage.

You can support the NIRS by reporting an incident that has occurred in your community. Reporting incidents, and collecting this data over time will help to identify trends, deficits, emerging risks and inform future education programs, training initiatives, supporting funding decisions and improve the resiliency of communities.

Show your support of the NIRS and report a fire incident.

NIRS webpage

Report a fire incident

Research & NIRS Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

Research and data collection through the National Incident Reporting System (NIRS) are important parts of the work that guides program development, delivery of programs and services to reduce fires, injury, and deaths. Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) formulate working relationships between like organizations with our newly formulated our organization.

The premise is of co-operation and collaboration for ongoing research initiatives, specifically related to health, fire and life safety in Indigenous communities. Others can offer important insights.

Through MOUs, each party can create opportunities that will foster a collaborative relationship adding value to our mission, including:

• Joint research, cultural, and educational activities;

• Exchange of researchers ideas with educational institutions, faculty members;

• Advanced opportunities for Indigenous graduate students for research lectures and discussions;

• Participation in seminars and research meetings; and,

• Exchange of research materials, tools, publications, and other information.