This article is part of a series of posts led by CHASI Research Associate Len Garis, who has been a long-time partner of CHASI through his work with the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. His guest blog posts explore a wide range of topics related to firefighting and firefighters in Canada. You can read all of his guest articles at this link.
CHASI’s collaboration with the NIFSC, and many of their other research work, can be found on our NIFSC Publications page. For questions about the NIFSC and their work, please visit their contact page.
Advancing Community Fire Safety in Canada: A Fire Service Perspective on the LEAD Framework
By Len Garis, Mandy Desautels
Fire safety in Canada’s Indigenous communities has long required a more coordinated, evidence‑driven approach—one that respects local knowledge, addresses structural inequities, and strengthens community capacity. The LEAD Fire Safety and Prevention Framework, developed for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), responds directly to that need. It offers a practical, culturally grounded method for reducing fire incidents, injuries, and fatalities through community‑led planning and evidence‑based prevention.
The LEAD Framework begins with a principle that aligns with modern Canadian fire service practice: “The best approach in reducing the number and severity of fire incidents is to select evidence‑based interventions based on community‑level data.” This is the foundation of the LEAD model—Learn, Engage, Access, Develop—a structured process that guides communities from initial assessment to long‑term evaluation. It is a roadmap for building safer homes, stronger partnerships, and more resilient communities.
A Framework Built for Community‑Driven Fire Safety
The LEAD model is simple, adaptable, and powerful. It recognizes that fire safety cannot be imposed from the outside; it must be built with the community, informed by local realities, and supported by fire‑service expertise. The four phases—Learn, Engage, Access, Develop—mirror the risk‑reduction cycle used across Canadian fire services, but they are adapted for Indigenous governance, culture, and community priorities.
This is not a one‑time project. It is a continuous improvement model that strengthens community capacity year after year. It also reflects a shift in the Canadian fire service toward prevention‑first strategies, where data, community engagement, and targeted interventions are as essential as operational response.
Learning About the Fire Burden
The first phase—Establishing the Path—focuses on understanding the community’s fire risk profile. This includes demographic information, housing conditions, fire incident history, and existing prevention programs. The LEAD approach emphasizes the importance of capturing not only the number of incidents, injuries, and deaths, but also where fires occur, when they occur, and what causes them.
This is foundational work. Without a clear picture of the fire burden, prevention efforts risk being unfocused or misaligned. Many Indigenous communities face systemic challenges—aging housing stock, overcrowding, limited fire response capacity—that elevate fire risk. Identifying these realities early ensures that prevention strategies are targeted and effective.
The LEAD model also highlights protective and risk factors. Working smoke alarms, fire safety knowledge, and strong community networks reduce risk. Older buildings, poorly maintained housing, and lack of working alarms increase it. These patterns are consistent with national fire data and reinforce the need for targeted, evidence‑based interventions.
Engaging Community Voices
The second phase—Engaging the Voices—recognizes that fire safety must be built with the community, not imposed on it. Engagement happens through gatherings, surveys, storytelling, and conversations with Elders, youth, and local champions. The LEAD approach acknowledges that some community members may have experienced trauma from fire or burns and recommends a safety plan to ensure emotional support is available.
The goal is to confirm priorities and finalize a community fire safety statement that reflects lived experience. This statement answers five essential questions: Who is at risk? What is the fire burden? Where do fires occur? When do they occur? And why is it important to act? This becomes the foundation for the action plan that follows.
For fire services, this phase reinforces the importance of relationship‑building. Trust, transparency, and respect are essential—especially in communities where historical experiences with outside agencies may influence perceptions of risk and authority. When communities feel heard and respected, fire prevention becomes a shared responsibility rather than an external directive.
Accessing Resources and Identifying Opportunities
The third phase—Looking to the Future—moves from assessment to planning. Communities review their internal resources, assess external supports, and identify opportunities for collaboration and funding. This includes evaluating fire department capacity, training needs, equipment availability, and existing prevention programs.
One of the most significant external resources highlighted is HomeSafe, an evidence‑based program originally developed by Surrey Fire Service, located in Surrey, British Columbia. HomeSafe combines door‑to‑door smoke alarm installation with education and home safety checks. The LEAD Framework notes that the program has “significantly reduced fires and fire losses” in its original jurisdiction. For Indigenous communities—many of which face elevated residential fire risk—HomeSafe offers a proven, scalable model.
This phase also encourages communities to explore NIFSC programs, FireSmart-like initiatives, and partnerships with regional fire services. The emphasis is on building a network of support that can sustain long‑term fire safety improvements. It also encourages communities to identify gaps—whether in training, equipment, or public education—and match them with available resources.
Developing and Implementing the Action Plan
The final phase—Sharing the Knowledge—guides communities through building a full fire safety and prevention action plan. This includes setting measurable goals, selecting interventions, building an implementation schedule, raising capacity through training, and establishing an evaluation process.
The LEAD Framework emphasizes choosing interventions with strong evidence behind them. Smoke alarm installation programs, home safety assessments, and home escape planning consistently demonstrate reductions in fire‑related injuries and fatalities. The Framework also stresses sustainability: programs must be designed to continue beyond initial funding cycles, supported by local leadership and ongoing evaluation.
The LEAD model provides templates, worksheets, and logic models to support this work. It ensures that communities not only launch prevention initiatives but also track their impact and refine their approach over time. This is essential for long‑term success: fire prevention is not a campaign, but a sustained commitment.
HomeSafe: A Priority Intervention
The LEAD Framework dedicates an entire chapter to implementing HomeSafe, reflecting its status as a priority intervention. The program’s strength lies in its simplicity and its evidence base. It involves visiting homes, testing existing smoke alarms, installing new alarms where needed, and offering home safety assessments.
The Framework makes a critical point: “Providing free smoke alarms is not as effective as providing and installing the smoke alarms.” This is consistent with Canadian research showing that many distributed alarms never get installed or maintained. The door‑to‑door model ensures alarms are installed correctly and provides an opportunity for education and relationship‑building.
For communities with limited fire response capacity, HomeSafe can be transformative. It reduces risk at the household level while strengthening community awareness and engagement. It also builds trust—one home at a time.
Conclusion / Key Takeaway
The LEAD Fire Safety and Prevention Framework is more than a planning guide—it is a practical blueprint for reducing fire risk in Indigenous communities through evidence, partnership, and local leadership. Its strength lies in its simplicity: learn what the risks are, engage the people who live with them, access the right tools, and develop a plan that the whole community can stand behind. When communities follow this process, fire prevention stops being a series of isolated activities and becomes a coordinated, long‑term strategy.
For the Canadian fire service, the takeaway is clear: sustainable fire safety is built at the community level. Programs like HomeSafe, smoke alarm installations, and home safety checks work because they meet people where they live—literally and figuratively. The LEAD Framework gives communities the structure to do this work consistently, respectfully, and effectively.
If there is one message to carry forward, it is this: fire prevention succeeds when communities lead, data guides, and fire services support with evidence‑based practice. The LEAD Framework provides the path. Walking it is how we save lives, strengthen resilience, and build safer communities across Canada.
Authors
Len Garis is director of research for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Ret. Fire Chief for the city of Surrey, B.C., Research Associate – University of the Fraser Valley associate scientist emeritus with the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit. Contact him at lwgaris@outlook.com.
Mandy Desautels is Chief Administrative Officer at the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. Prior to joining NIFSC, she worked for BC Emergency Health Services and prominent NGOs. Contact her at mandy.desautels@indigenousfiresafety.ca.