New fire prevention program aims to empower First Nations

A first-of-its-kind program aims to strengthen fire safety in Indigenous communities.

A first-of-its kind fire prevention officer (FPO) mentorship program was launched in Orillia on Friday, where a dozen southern Ontario fire departments will be mentoring FPO’s from remote first nations.

“We thought our expertise that our fire prevention officers have would be beneficial to help teach our mentee,” said Orillia Fire Chief Chris Ferry.

That mentee being John Sanipass, an FPO in Waswanipi, Quebec. He made the 900-kilometre trip to Orillia to learn from chief FPO Terry Duff.

“It’s been quite the trip,” said Sanipass. “Been learning everything under the umbrella of fire prevention, and it’s been great.”

“He gets introduced to paperwork – stuff they haven’t seen – introducing bylaws, how they can make laws that people can enforce,” said Duff. “It’s amazing to watch him learn and what he can take back to his community to make it a safe community.”

Sanipass is one of 10 Cree Nation members who will receive mentorship from the following 11 southern Ontario fire departments:

• Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service
• King Fire & Emergency Services
• Kingston Fire and Rescue
• Kitchener Fire Department
• Oakville Fire Department
• Orillia Fire Department
• Rama Fire Rescue Service
• Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services
• Sarnia Fire Rescue Services
• St. Catharines Fire Services
• Windsor Fire & Rescue Services

The program was created in partnership between the 11 fire departments, Emergency Management Group Inc., Waswanay Consulting Inc., and the Grand Council of the Crees.

“This partnership will empower Indigenous fire services by providing them knowledge [and] mentorship needed to strengthen their fire prevention programs,” said Brent Sterling, CEO of Waswanay Consulting Inc.

According to the Grand Council of the Crees, lit smoking materials, youth playing with lighters, combustibles near heating sources, kitchen and electrical flames are the most common causes of residential fires.

Sanipass also called for greater fire prevention measures around wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.

“I think that’s something that we can look into in the future to pass some laws or pass some legislation to further protect our community,” said Sanipass.

Each FPO mentee is to meet with their FPO mentor for one month before the end of the year.

Fire officials in the program say they hope to run the program again next year and that it will strengthen their relationships with other fire departments across the nation.