Fire Prevention Week - October 7- 13, 2012

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) would like to recognize and bring attention to Fire Prevention Week (October 7 to 13, 2012). In recognition of this year’s theme, “HAVE TWO WAYS OUT.©”, the AFN encourages all First Nation citizens to take the time to become aware of fire hazards with a thorough inspection of their homes and businesses and develop a fire escape plan.

The death rate due to fire in First Nation communities is alarmingly high and many First Nations do not have the required resources for prevention or emergency response. The First Nation death rate due to fire is 10.4 times higher than among Canada overall, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Fire incidence, damage and injury statistics are also consistently higher than the Canadian average.

Fire Prevention Week reminds us to protect the ones we love by taking a few minutes to discuss simple tasks that can help prevent a fire and potentially save lives. Visit the Fire Prevention Canada website at www.fiprecan.ca for fire prevention and safety tips.

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the AFN also expresses its gratitude to First Nation firefighters and firefighting organizations for their diligent work in such a difficult environment to protect our communities. In 2011, the AFN Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution to support the activities of all duly mandated regional First Nation firefighting organizations and local emergency services in their efforts to create a community-level awareness on fire protection and prevention.

The following First Nation organizations help keep our communities safe by providing support to emergency services units through training and instruction:

•    Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada Regional Offices (AFAC)
•    First Nations' Emergency Services Society (FNESS)
•    First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group (FNTSAG)
•    Manitoba Association of Native FireFighters (MANFF)
•    Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society (ONFFS)
•    Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC)

The AFN Emergency Issues Management program, part of the AFN Housing and Infrastructure Secretariat, addresses emergency issues affecting First Nation communities across Canada. For more information, contact David Diabo at (613) 241-6789 ext. 243 or ddiabo@afn.ca.