First Nation Fire Protection Services: Frequently Asked Questions

Roles and Responsibilities

Q1. Who is responsible for providing fire protection services in First Nation communities?

First Nation Band Councils manage fire protection services on reserve. AANDC provides core capital funding to First Nations on an annual basis. First Nations prioritize their spending to meet the needs of their communities including fire protection services. Fire protection services may include fire fighting, operation and maintenance of fire halls, training, education, and purchase of equipment such as fire trucks.

Q2. Who is responsible for restoring houses and other buildings in First Nation communities that are damaged or destroyed by fire?

Should community infrastructure be damaged or destroyed by fire, a First Nation may apply for additional major capital funding from AANDC to replace or repair the asset.

AANDC Fire Protection Funding

Q3. How much funding does AANDC provide to First Nations for fire protection services?

First Nation Band Councils manage fire protection services on reserve. AANDC provides core capital funding to First Nations on an annual basis. First Nations prioritize their spending to meet the needs of their communities including fire protection services.

In 2012-2013 approximately $30.6 million was targeted to fire protection priorities, including:

  • Operations & Maintenance
  • Acquisition of equipment and construction of fire protection services infrastructure
  • Fire protection services training

AANDC also provides annual funding to the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC). In 2012-2013, AANDC provided the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada with $238,000 in support of a number of fire prevention and awareness activities including the annual National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition and the National Fire Safety Poster Contest for school-aged children and youth, conducting regional information and training sessions, and participating in the implementation of the First Nations Fire protection services Strategy.

Q4. How are funding levels determined?

The level of funding, is determined by a regionally- based formula, which takes into consideration a number of factors such as the number of buildings on reserve, remoteness, population and local environment.

Use of Funding

Q5. Since funding for fire protection services is part of a First Nation’s core capital funding, does this funding always get used for fire protection services or can the First Nation reallocate the funds to address other community priorities?

The department’s fire protection services allocations are intended to be used for fire protection services purposes. However, it is at the Chief and Council’s discretion to manage these funds and they may decide to reallocate their fire protection services funding to other priorities within their communities.

Each fiscal year, First Nations are required to submit their First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan (FNIIP) which outlines their planned expenditures for community infrastructure and services such as fire protection.

Fire Protection on Reserve

Q6. Do First Nations have their own fire departments?

Some First Nations have set up their own fire department on reserve. This is at the discretion of Chief and Council who prioritize their core capital funding accordingly.

Other First Nations have signed formal agreements with neighbouring municipalities for fire protection services. It is the responsibility of the First Nation to make these arrangements, and to pay for the services through their operational budget.

Q7. Do First Nations have access to 9-1-1 services?

First Nations may decide to use 9-1-1 services. These are usually put into place as part of an agreement with a local municipality. It is the responsibility of the First Nation to make these arrangements, and to pay for the services through their operational budget.

Q8. Does AANDC contribute to First Nation firefighter training on reserve?

AANDC’s annual funding allocation in support of Fire protection services on reserve includes designated funds for training. In 2012-2013, $4.6 million was targeted for fire protection services training. This funding can also be re-allocated at the discretion of the band council.

AANDC also sponsors the annual National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition, which serves to strengthen skills and knowledge through technical seminars and a variety of training exercises.

Q9. What is AANDC doing to improve fire protection services on reserves?

AANDC is involved in the training, prevention, and education components of fire protection services. For example, AANDC promotes awareness through the annual National Fire Safety Poster Contest for school-aged children and youth, sponsors training both directly and indirectly through the annual National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition, funds the acquisition and construction of fire prevention infrastructure, and provides funding for operation and maintenance of infrastructure.

AANDC invested $30.6 million in fire protection in 2012-13 for the operation and maintenance of fire halls and other fire protection services, firefighter training, and purchasing fire protection equipment such as fire trucks.

Please see the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy for more information.

Q10. What is the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy?

The First Nations Fire Protection Strategy (2010-2015) was developed in partnership with stakeholders and experts such as the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada, regional firefighter associations, and other government departments.

The strategy is aimed at providing better fire protection services for First Nation communities, reducing fire losses, and extending the life cycle of community infrastructure assets.

The strategy focuses on fire protection services in on-reserve communities. However, it also forms linkages between First Nations populations and national and regional firefighters associations and promotes the development of municipal service agreements between on and off-reserve communities.

Activities under this strategy include:

  • Promoting fire safety education;
  • Strengthening fire safety inspections;
  • Improving fire loss data integrity;
  • Integrating fire protection services with emergency management planning; and,
  • Exploring options to address the regulatory gap governing fire protection services on reserve.

Please see the First Nations Fire Protection Strategy for more information.

lnsurance on Reserve

Q11. Are houses and community buildings on First Nation reserves covered by insurance?

First Nation communities that receive annual capital funding from AANDC for on-reserve housing are responsible for the planning and management of their housing portfolio. Capital funds may be used for a range of housing needs including planning, construction, renovation, maintenance, and insurance.

It is the First Nation’s responsibility to make these spending decisions, and to allocate housing to its members, according to the priorities and needs of the community.

There are a range of insurance providers and insurance possibilities available to First Nation residents, from insurance being provided through band councils that own homes to insurance being provided by companies to individual First Nation residents. For more information, it would be best to contact individual First Nation band councils, residents or insurance providers.