{"id":2428,"date":"2026-10-16T13:40:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/chasi\/?p=2428"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:40:29","slug":"advancing-indigenous-fire-safety-building-a-community-driven-framework-for-knowledge-capacity-and-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/chasi\/2026\/10\/16\/advancing-indigenous-fire-safety-building-a-community-driven-framework-for-knowledge-capacity-and-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Advancing Indigenous Fire Safety: Building a Community Driven Framework for Knowledge, Capacity, and Action"},"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 collaborations with the NIFSC, and many of their other research works, 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

Advancing Indigenous Fire Safety: Building a Community\u2011Driven Framework for Knowledge, Capacity, and Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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

Fire safety in Indigenous communities across Canada is entering a new era\u2014one shaped not by external prescriptions, but by community\u2011driven knowledge, culturally grounded processes, and a commitment to long\u2011term capacity building. The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), working in partnership with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU), has developed a Fire Safety and Prevention Knowledge and Translation Framework that aims to transform how fire safety information is gathered, understood, and acted upon in First Nations, Inuit, and M\u00e9tis communities.<\/p>\n

The framework is built on a simple but powerful premise: effective fire safety begins with listening. As the report notes, community\u2011based fire research \u201cdepends on two important variables: the capacity to generate good information, and the extent to which information is understood and constructed as a two\u2011way relationship.\u201d This two\u2011way relationship\u2014between researchers, fire service leaders, and community members\u2014forms the backbone of a new approach to fire prevention and fire service development in Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n

This article explores that framework, the challenges identified by key participants, and the opportunities ahead as the NIFSC prepares to pilot this model in communities across Canada.<\/p>\n

A Framework Rooted in Indigenous Process and Community Voice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Fire Safety and Prevention Knowledge and Translation Framework was developed under the leadership of Dr. Ian Pike, who at the time served as Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU). Dr. Pike\u2014now retired\u2014brought decades of injury\u2011prevention expertise and a trauma\u2011informed lens to this work. His guidance shaped the project\u2019s emphasis on safety, respect, and emotional awareness. As the report notes, participants \u201cmay have experienced trauma or loss from fire or burns, and may need support if feeling distressed during this information gathering process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Pike\u2019s long history of trauma\u2011informed injury research ensured that the framework recognized the emotional realities communities may face when discussing fire, burns, and loss. This sensitivity is woven throughout the framework\u2019s design, reinforcing that fire safety research in Indigenous communities must honour lived experience, respect cultural protocols, and create safe spaces for dialogue.<\/p>\n

The Framework is organized into four interconnected phases:<\/p>\n

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

This phase focuses on understanding the current situation\u2014existing fire risks, protective factors, behaviours, and community priorities. Leadership engagement is essential here. Fire Chiefs, operations and maintenance managers, Directors, and Councils provide foundational situational knowledge that shapes the rest of the process.<\/p>\n

2. Engaging the Voices (Capacity)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This phase brings the broader community into the conversation. Through surveys, gatherings, sharing circles, and small\u2011group discussions, communities articulate their priorities, concerns, and lived experiences. The report emphasizes that gatherings should allow people to \u201ccontinue the dialogue at the same table, as equals.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

3. <\/strong>Looking to the Future (Planning)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Communities determine priorities for action, identify available resources, and explore new opportunities. Planning aligns fire safety goals with community values, governance structures, and long\u2011term sustainability.<\/p>\n

4. Sharing the Knowledge (Implementation)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The final phase involves developing and implementing a community fire safety plan. This includes public education, equipment needs, sustainability planning, and evaluation. Implementation is a cycle of learning, adapting, and strengthening.<\/p>\n

Together, these phases form a flexible, culturally sensitive framework that can be adapted to the needs and capacity of each community.<\/p>\n

Tools Designed for Community\u2011Level Fire Safety Knowledge Gathering<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The report includes several draft tools intended to support communities in gathering fire safety information:<\/p>\n