{"id":2258,"date":"2026-05-15T13:01:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T20:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/chasi\/?p=2258"},"modified":"2026-05-15T13:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T20:02:31","slug":"building-the-path-together-an-indigenous-framework-for-advancing-fire-safety-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/chasi\/2026\/05\/15\/building-the-path-together-an-indigenous-framework-for-advancing-fire-safety-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Building the Path Together: An Indigenous Framework for Advancing Fire Safety in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u00a0National Indigenous Fire Safety Council<\/a>. 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<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

CHASI\u2019s collaboration with the NIFSC, and many of their other research work, can be found on our NIFSC Publications page<\/a>. For questions about the NIFSC and their work, please visit their <\/a><\/em>contact page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Building the Path Together: An Indigenous Framework for Advancing Fire Safety in Canada<\/strong><\/h2>\n

By Len Garis, <\/em>Mandy Desautels<\/em><\/p>\n

Fire safety in Indigenous communities has long been shaped by structural inequities, chronic underfunding, and the absence of culturally grounded approaches to prevention and preparedness. Yet across the country, First Nations, Inuit, and M\u00e9tis communities continue to demonstrate resilience, innovation, and leadership in advancing fire safety\u2014often with limited resources and immense responsibility.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), in partnership with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU), released a landmark framework designed to support Indigenous communities in identifying, understanding, and acting on their fire safety and prevention needs. The report, Developing an Indigenous Process to Identify and Respond to Community Fire Safety and Prevention Knowledge<\/em><\/a>, outlines a community\u2011driven, culturally sensitized approach to building safer futures. It is a framework rooted in respect, reciprocity, and the recognition that fire safety knowledge must be co\u2011created\u2014not imposed.<\/p>\n

This article explores the framework, its development, and its implications for fire services across Canada.<\/p>\n

Why an Indigenous\u2011Led Framework Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fire risk in Indigenous communities is not simply a technical problem\u2014it is a product of historical, political, and social conditions. Many communities face aging infrastructure, limited fire protection resources, and geographic isolation. Funding formulas have not kept pace with modern standards, and fire departments often rely heavily on volunteers who juggle multiple roles.<\/p>\n

Key participants in the NIFSC study emphasized that funding structures are outdated<\/strong>, noting that \u201cfire funding levels by Indigenous Services Canada are 30\u2011years old\u201d<\/em> and that communities often lack the resources to meet even basic standards for equipment and training.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, the NIFSC framework offers something fundamentally different: a process that begins with community voices, honours Indigenous knowledge systems, and builds capacity from within.<\/p>\n

A Four\u2011Part Framework Rooted in Community Strength<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Fire Safety and Prevention Knowledge and Translation Framework is built around four interconnected phases:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Establishing the Path (Assessment)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Communities begin by examining their current fire safety landscape\u2014strengths, challenges, behaviours, and risks. This phase emphasizes situational awareness and the importance of leadership commitment. As the report notes, this stage involves \u201cthe decision to move forward with a community fire safety initiative\u201d<\/em> and the gathering of foundational knowledge from leadership and program managers.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Engaging the Voices (Capacity)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This phase centres on listening\u2014bringing together leadership, fire personnel, Elders, youth, and community members to share experiences and priorities. Engagement may take the form of surveys, gatherings, sharing circles, or small\u2011group discussions over meals. Food, the report notes, is not incidental; it is a sign of respect and a way to ensure everyone sits \u201cat the same table, as equals.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Looking to the Future (Planning)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Communities identify priorities, explore available resources, and map out opportunities for action. This includes determining what is feasible now, what requires external support, and what long\u2011term goals should guide future planning.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Sharing the Knowledge (Implementation)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          The final phase focuses on developing and executing a community fire safety plan\u2014public education, equipment needs, training, sustainability planning, and evaluation. Implementation is not a one\u2011time event; it is a cycle of learning, adapting, and strengthening.<\/p>\n

          Listening to Communities: What Key Participants Shared<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          The development of the framework relied heavily on interviews with fire chiefs, fire marshals, technical advisors, and other key participants across the country. Their insights reveal both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.<\/p>\n

          Chronic Underfunding and Resource Gaps<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          Participants described a system where fire departments struggle to meet minimum standards:<\/p>\n