Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada

Annual Report 2011-12

Table of Contents

AFAC Board of Directors and Administration as of March 31, 2012 ....................................................... 1

Message from the Executive Director .............................................................................................................. 3

Executive Summary: 2011-12 Fiscal Year Activity ......................................................................................... 4

National Aboriginal Firefighters’ Competition ............................................................................................. 5

National Fire Safety Poster Contest ................................................................................................................. 9

Annual General Meeting ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Annual General Meeting ........................................................................................................................... 13

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada ................................................................ 14

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs ....................................................................................................... 15

Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation ............................................................................................ 17

Web Presence to Support and Promote Programs ................................................................................... 19

Facebook ........................................................................................................................................................ 19

Website .......................................................................................................................................................... 20

Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Education Programs .............................................................................. 21

NFPA Fire Prevention Programs ............................................................................................................ 21

AFAC Website Resource Depository ...................................................................................................... 21

Fire Prevention Canada ............................................................................................................................ 21

AFAC Operating Budget ................................................................................................................................... 22

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AFAC Board of Directors and Administration as of March 31, 2012

Gerald Houle Acting President (2010-2013) Manitoba Region

Richard Kent Acting Vice President (2009-2012) Saskatchewan Region

Billy Moffat Director Quebec Region

Charles Wright Sr Director Ontario Region

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Allan Peters Secretary / Treasurer (2010-2011) Atlantic Region

Arnold Lazare Past President Ex-Officio Director

Leon Smallboy Director Alberta Region

Blaine Wiggins Executive Director

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Message from the Executive Director

The 2011-12 fiscal year seemed to provide as many challenges as opportunities. AFAC saw movement forward in our national partnerships with AANDC, AFN and CAFC. Our meetings with AANDC demonstrated honest dialogue that discussed both the challenges of providing relative fire protection on-reserve compared to off-reserve services and the resource limitations that currently exist to meet those goals. AFN was invited to participate in the dialogue at both our Winnipeg and Ottawa meetings. The relationship that started in 2010 with the CAFC has continued to grow and was demonstrated during Government Relations 2012 week as the CAFC identified fire protection on-reserve as one of only two issues put forward in the CAFC Federal Priorities document. AFAC continues to partner with the CAFC on national fire service issues and holds an appointed seat with the CAFC Board of Directors. As AFAC matures as an organization it also meant moving forward to a truly standalone organization, the Board of Directors made the business decision to end the financial services contract with our BC Regional First Nations partner organization. Unfortunately the transition to AFAC financial management took much longer than expected and many business and corporate requirements needed to be addressed which consumed the majority of the Board of Directors’ and Executive Director’s focus for the latter part of the fiscal year. As the new fiscal year started AFAC had completed the majority of the tasks required and are committed to meeting the standards defined by all federal regularity and corporate business standards including Revenue Canada, Industry Canada, Treasury Board (AANDC funding) and corporate banking regulations. AFAC has moved its banking services to Ottawa as this is a central point that the AFAC Board meets at once per year should in person corporate banking functions be required. With our corporate financial transition behind us we look forward to focusing on improving fire services functions in 2012 and beyond. AFAC is an organization of regional partners who volunteer their time and expertise. As we move closer to the 2012 National Fire Competition being held in the Atlantic Region in Elsipogtog First Nations (Moncton NB) volunteers from both AFAC and the Atlantic region have been working behind the scene for months to bring this event together. On behalf of AFAC and the Board of Directors we look forward to safe 2012-13 year for the fire and emergency services personnel and the communities they serve.

Blaine Wiggins, MA

Executive Director, AFAC (A/Fire Chief, City of Iqaluit Fire-EMS Department)

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Executive Summary: 2011-12 Fiscal Year Activity

The Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC) is a non-political, non-profit service organization with membership in fire and emergency-related services from Aboriginal communities across Canada. AFAC has been working consistently towards becoming a nationally recognized organization in fire prevention, education, training and safety, and is committed to providing the highest quality service whenever possible. AFAC’s activities during the 2011-2012 fiscal year focused on five areas:

National Aboriginal Firefighters' Competition

National Fire Safety Poster Contest

Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Education Programs

Annual General Meeting

Web Presence to Support and Promote Programs

“Working together to improve fire safety in all aboriginal/First Nation communities across Canada to protect and enhance

the quality of life, health and safety.”

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National Aboriginal Firefighters’ Competition

The National Aboriginal Firefighters’ Competition was hosted by the Manitoba Association of Native FireFighters (MANFF) at the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Academy in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Teams came from across Canada for this popular annual event, which took place from August 18 to 20, 2011. Day one was packed full of informative training sessions. Day two started with the team captains’ meeting followed by the AFAC Annual General Meeting and lunch. In the afternoon teams participated in a golf tournament at the Shooters golf course. The Firefighting competition took place throughout the day on Saturday with the Awards Banquet held in the evening.

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2011 National Aboriginal Firefighters’ Competition Results

Place Team Points

1st Manitoba

350

2nd Quebec

310

3rd Atlantic

280

Joint 4th/5th Alberta

250

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2011 National Aboriginal Firefighters’ Competition Results

Place Team Points

Joint 4th/5th Ontario

250

6th Saskatchewan

240

7th British Columbia

230

8th Most Sportsmanlike Team

Nunavut

170

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National Fire Safety Poster Contest

Kendrick Kakeesim

Dylan Hill

Mitchell Vanevery

Gabby Yellowbird

Merrilee Peters

Mickayla Aurora Andrew-Bergstrom

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Calista Paul

Tierra Henhawk

Jasmine Morin

Summer Marchant-Admason

Sydney Bikadi

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Each year all regions are invited to participate in the National Fire Poster Contest. The contest is launched each year during Fire Prevention Week and uses the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) theme which was “Protect Your Family from Fire”. The winners were selected at the February Board meeting held in Ottawa, Ontario. Entries are invited from students in four categories:

1. Preschool to Grade 2 2. Grades 3 to 6 3. Grades 7 to 9 4. Multimedia

During the 2011-12 year, Regional Poster Contests were organized and run in the following regions;

Alberta British Columbia

Ontario Quebec

2011-12 National Fire Safety Poster Contest Results

Category One (preschool to Grade 2)

Category Two (Grades 3 to 6)

Category Three (Grades 7 to 9)

1st Place

Kendrick Kakeesim Grade 2

Pakan School Goodfish Lake, AB

Dylan Hill Grade 5

Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io School Six Nations, ON

Calista Paul Grade 7

Kiwetin School Notre-Dame du Nord, QC

2nd Place

Mitchell Vanevery Grade 2

Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io School Six Nations, ON

Gabby Yellowbird Grade 6

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School Glenevis, AB

Jasmine Morin Grade 9

Kehewin High School Kehewin Cree Nation, AB

3rd Place

Merrilee Peters Grade 2

Chehalis Community School Chehalis, BC

Mickayla Aurora Andrew-Bergstrom Grade 4

XCS Xitolacw School Mount Currie, BC

Tierra Henhawk Grade 9

Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io School Six Nations, ON

Honorable Mention

Summer Marchant-Adamson Grade 2

Chehalis Community School Chehalis, BC

Sydney Bikadi Grade 4

XCS Xitolacw School Mount Currie, BC

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2010-11 poster contest participants Cherish Large from Kihew Asiniy Education Centre, Saddle Lake, AB and Kyle Auger from Rocky Lane School, Fort Vermillion, AB travelled to Winnipeg for the National Firefighters’ Competition. During the banquet dinner they were presented with prizes by Paul Schauerte, Sr Policy Manager, Program Design and Regional Partnerships, AANDC (left) and Pernell Marchand. President, AFAC (right).

Cherish Large

Kyle Auger

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Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting

The 2011 AGM was held in Winnipeg Manitoba on August 19, 2011. Normal business activities required as a registered society including review of previous year minutes and business arising from the minutes, presentation of audited financial statements, executive and board reports, etc. were performed. AFAC presented a special motion to introduce a revised Constitution and Bylaws that better articulated the current makeup of AFAC and the regional organizations partnerships. The special motion passed and the new Constitution and Bylaws are publicly posted on the AFAC website. Board members Dale Simons from Alberta, and Richard Kent from Saskatchewan completed their two-year term effective August 19, 2011. Richard Kent was re-appointed from Saskatchewan. Arnold Lazare from Quebec region was appointed Past-President for the 2011/12 year. Gerald Houle from Manitoba was elected Vice-President for a two-year term. Representatives from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) were present to formally participate in the AFAC AGM.

2011-12 AFAC Board of Directors

(from left to right) Gerald Houle, Allan Peters, Charles Wright Sr, Leon Smallboy, Billy Moffat, Richard Kent, Arnold Lazare, and Blaine Wiggins (Executive Director).

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Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

In August 2011 representatives from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) travelled to Winnipeg to meet with the AFAC board and regional teams.

Glen Sanderson from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs provided an update on the Manitoba Fire Risk Analysis and the working group discussed First Nations Fire Protection Strategy activities including:

Emergency Management Inspections

Equipment Purchase Safety Education and Awareness

During February 2012 the AFAC board met with regional representatives from AANDC in Ottawa.

Topics on the table during the two-day meeting included: Codes and standards Deficiencies data and

strategy to address deficiencies

Emergency Management Act

Review of current priorities

Identification of 2012-13 deliverables

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Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

AFAC’s relationship with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) continues to thrive. During Government Relations week (March 12 to 14, 2012) Fire Chiefs met with Members of Parliament and participated in public service delegations to brief senior public officials on matters of importance to Canada’s Fire Service. The CAFC identified and focused on two federal priorities for 2012:

A. The allocation of a portion of the new broadband spectrum dedicated to emergency communications and;

B. Recommendations for improving First Nations fire protection.

Allan Peters (Secretary / Treasurer and Atlantic Region representative) and Blaine Wiggins (Executive Director) attended on behalf of AFAC. They met with Dr. Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P. (St. Paul’s, ON), Liberal Party Critic for Aboriginal Affairs, Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P. (Nunavut), Minister of Health, and Linda Duncan, MP (Edmonton Strathcona), NDP Critic for Aboriginal Affairs.

In addition they formed part of the CAFC Service Delegation that met with the Canadian Codes Center (NRC), the CAFC Delegation to Transport Canada (Transportation of Dangerous Goods), and the AFAC Delegation to AANDC.

FIRST NATIONS FIRE PROTECTION Sprinklers in residential homes remain a top priority for sufficient First Nations fire protection and

prevention. The CAFC wishes to stress the importance of residential sprinklers, while addressing the misinformation on sprinklered homes.

Recently a working group formed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AAND) was tasked with reviewing current legislation surrounding fire protection and prevention for First Nations.

The CAFC along with the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC) supports the implementation of new legislation, including the following recommendations:

Require the use of National Fire, Building and Plumbing Codes on First Nations and Federal lands not governed by provincial fire statutes;

The implementation of Federal Fire Marshal and Regional Fire Marshal offices on federal lands and;

HRSDC fire inspections, currently performed every 3 years on federal lands, be required on an annual basis as per industry standards, including the provision of proper enforcement and follow up mechanisms with deficiencies reported to HRSDC. These inspections would be the responsibility of newly formed regional and federal fire marshals.

CAFC Government Relations Priorities 2012 document

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Government Relations Week photographs courtesy of Rob Evans, CAFC

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Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

AFAC has been working with the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF) to develop a formal relationship between the two organizations to assure that any line of death First Nations firefighters receive the same honor bestowed on them as our counterparts in the fire service. Arnold Lazare has volunteered as the AFAC Liaison to CFFF and represented AFAC and First Nations Firefighters at the 2011 ceremony. In addition to the ceremony Arnold attended a special dinner held for the families of the fallen firefighters and specifically two First Nations Firefighters Nathan Jackson and Francis Cardinal from Alberta who died in the line of duty.

Photograph courtesy of CFFF official photographer Waken Photography, Kentville, ON

The ceremony paid tribute to the over 1000 Canadian firefighters who have lost their lives serving Canada since 1848. The names of all firefighters added to the honour roll since the last ceremony was read at the ceremony. In addition, special presentations were made to the families of those firefighters who were actively employed at their time of death.

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Francis Roderick Cardinal

Birth Date Age

Rank Department Date Joined

Station Category Location

Date of Death Date of Funeral

Cemetery

July 11, 1982 28 Firefighter BLMS Wildland Firefighters Inc. January 1, 2002 Caslan, AB Wildland Lac La Biche, Alberta July 21, 2010 July 26, 2010 Beaver Lake Cemetery

Nathan Lloyd Jackson

Birth Date Age

Rank Department Date Joined

Station Category Location

Date of Death Date of Funeral

Cemetery

April 13, 1987 23 Firefighter BLMS Wildland Firefighters Inc. January 1, 2009 Caslan, AB Wildland Lac La Biche, Alberta July 21, 2010 July 29, 2010 Kikino Community Cemetery

2011 Honour Roll

Alex MacDonald - Ottawa, ON Terrence Graham - Saint John, NB Alex Harris - Edmonton, AB Bob Chalmers - Edmonton, AB James McDonald - Winnipeg, MB Donald Massender - Tecumseh, ON Gary Kendall - Point Edward, ON

William Lawrence - Prescott, ON Ronald Clowes - Grand Falls, NB Nathan Jackson - Lac La Biche, AB Francis Cardinal - Lac La Biche, AB Brian Tilley - Edmonton, AB Timothy Whiting - Surrey, BC Henry Van Kessel - Lone Butte, BC

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Web Presence to Support and Promote Programs Facebook

AFAC launched a Facebook page in fall 2011. The page was a great way to communicate news of the regional firefighter competitions with the week following the national competitions seeing the most traffic. Since then the page has grown and is used to share information and news between members of the firefighting community.

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Website

We continue to maintain a web presence at www.afac-acpi.ca. The site provides organizational information including the Board composition, contact information and events schedule. Results of the poster contest and firefighter competitions are posted on the site to promote these annual events Communities can access a list of Fire Protection resources arranged by geographic region. During the next year the site will be redesigned to improve visitor experience and provide more information.

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Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Education Programs

NFPA Fire Prevention Programs

Utilizing the AFAC website and Poster Contest the NFPA annual fire message was promoted and information to access fire prevention and education resources identified.

AFAC Website Resource Depository

Incorporated into the AFAC website is a listing by region of fire management resources & providers. This includes regional offices of the fire commissioners, regional & national fire prevention organizations, federal fire prevention grant suppliers, education material suppliers and other organizations that promote and support fire prevention safety.

Fire Prevention Canada

In collaboration with the CAFC, AFAC has met with representatives of Fire Prevention Canada to identify ways to support the distribution of fire prevention material and support fire prevention activities. AFAC will continue this dialogue to seek a partnership relationship with Fire Prevention Canada. http://www.fiprecan.ca/

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AFAC Operating Budget AFAC’s audited financial statements are produced as a separate document

2011/12 Budget

Administration/ Executive Services $30,000

Financial / Corporate Contract Services $24,000

National Fire Strategy Meeting $15,000

AFAC Travel $11,000

Website $8,000

Poster Contest $7,000

National Firefighter Competition $73,000

AGM $12,000

National Fire Competition Host Community $20,000

$200,000

AFAC Administration | 12411 Dawson Place | Maple Ridge, BC