From August 4 to 6, 2026, our First Nations Fire Protection Conference brought together more than 60 people, including numerous fire service representatives from communities and partners engaged in fire safety issues. Over these three days, participants explored a wide range of topics related to fire protection and had a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and support one another.
Understanding Risks to Better Prevent Them
The first day focused on risk inventory and fire safety capacity analysis, as well as residential prevention, public education and housing hygiene. Wood heating, fire statistics, and the investigation of causes and circumstances rounded out the program.
Discussions highlighted the isolation faced by some communities due to limited resources, the need for expanded funding to respond more quickly to emergencies, the importance of aligning fire prevention with other community sectors, and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of fire protection support programs.
Equipping and Supporting Fire Services
The second day covered mechanical maintenance and equipment inspection, emergency vehicle funding, certified training, and occupational health and safety in First Nations communities.
Participants emphasized the need for maintenance and repair tools available directly within communities, as well as the importance of a preventive approach rather than a reactive one when it comes to long-term occupational risks. They also raised concerns about non-recurring funding, which limits access to training and fuels a shared desire for greater autonomy in management.
Planning Infrastructure and Improving Data Collection
The final day focused on the construction of new fire stations, as well as data collection and intervention plans. Discussions underscored the importance of drawing on the experience of communities that have already carried out a fire station project, as well as recognition as a lever for staff retention.
The event concluded with a visit to the fire station at Québec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport.
Shared Challenges, a Shared Vision for the Future
More than a series of presentations, this conference created a genuine space for fire services to share and connect. Collaboration between First Nations communities, IDDPNQL, and involved partners remains essential to building sustainable fire safety services adapted to First Nations realities — and to advancing the recognition of fire protection as an essential service.
We are honoured to support First Nations fire safety services in this process, united by a common goal: ensuring the safety of all and the long-term sustainability of local resources.
Acknowledgements
We warmly thank everyone who shared their expertise. Thank you to François Lauzon of Collège Montmorency, Mélanie Tremblay and Michelle Riberdy of the Labour Program (Canada), Éric Bouchard of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Stéphane Bouffard of ABC Ramonage, Josée Querry, William Deschênes, of the Ministère de la sécurité intérieure (MSI), and Dany Drolet of the École nationale des pompiers du Québec.
Thank you also to the fire chiefs who presented their new fire stations: Daniel Skene of Lac Simon, Jérôme Jacques of Mashteuiatsh and Martin Awashish of Opitciwan.
We thank our collaborators: Arnold Lazare and Daniel Perron of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC), Maxime Gendron of the Association des gestionnaires en sécurité incendie et civile du Québec (AGSICQ), Isabelle Dumais and Frédéric Lalague of SOPFEU and Guillaume Gagnon of the W8banaki Nation Grand Council.
Thank you to Aréo-feu, L’Arsenal, 1200degrés and 911-Pro outdoors, who were on site with emergency vehicles for demonstrations. Thank you also to our exhibitors: F-500 Hazard Technologies, Taktik-360, Solutions d’eau Bourgelas, SOPFEU, the NIFSC, the Labour Program (Canada) and ABC Ramonage. Thank you also to Annie Hervieux for the superb photos.
A special thank you to Isabelle Déry, Hélène Aubé and Elisabelle Cossette-Plamondon of the Emergency Management team at ISC. This event was made possible with the financial support of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
