FireSmart: An Emergency Management Program
FireSmart is a national program designed to protect human lives, preserve local properties and ensure there is a minimal economic impact to a community from wildfires. This service considers a variety of disciplines to create a holistic perspective on the management of forest fires in vulnerable communities throughout Canada.
The Disciplines of FireSmart, Promoting Fire Safety
FireSmart is structured around seven core disciplines that it uses to protect families, their homes, communities, and important natural resources. By maintaining these practices, Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management can provide greater depth of training and preparation for protection from wildfires.
The Seven Disciplines
Education
Through online and printed resources available from FireSmart Canada, we provide educational resources that can be shared throughout a community, raising further interest and awareness among families and individuals in the area.
Legislation
Legislation, bylaws, plans, policies and development standards all play a significant role in building and maintaining FireSmart neighbourhoods. Consideration of forest fires at the property development planning stage is a key step in protecting neighbourhoods from wildfire.
Emergency Planning
Working with multiple agencies to tackle an emergency situation can get complicated quickly. Creating operational guidelines and response strategies helps us to prepare for combating wildfires cohesively.
Development
Development standards play a significant role in reducing the potential impact a wildfire can have on a neighbourhood. By promoting the use of less-flammable materials in building construction, we are able to reduce the risk of property damage during a wildfire.
Vegetation Management
Vegetation management is a strategy for reducing wildfires by looking at flammable materials in the fire’s path, or around vulnerable neighbourhoods. Wildfire requires fuel, in the form of vegetation, to burn; by reducing the amount of fuel, we can control the wildfire.
Interagency Cooperation
The practice of FireSmart deals with complex problems that require a collaborative approach to solve. Providing ongoing education to all stakeholders, from elected officials to residents in a community, is critical to building educated decisions.
Cross-training
Cross-training aims to bring emergency response organizations together for the purpose of identifying potential weaknesses and gaps in response efforts before an actual emergency. This allows low-capacity teams to receive the support they need to combat wildfires.
Before
After
Fuel Mitigation
Addressing several preventative measures, FireSmart is a valuable initiative towards mitigating the risk of wildfires. SFNEM has participated in several of these engagements—whether it’s education around the program or the reduction of vegetative fuel that could put a community at risk. By continuing to spread awareness, we can constantly reduce potential natural disasters on First Nation Lands.
Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear is the long-standing symbol of wildfire prevention in North America. Created in 1944, Smokey’s message is simple but powerful: “Only you can prevent wildfires.”
Smokey teaches the importance of being responsible in the outdoors. Most wildfires are caused by human activity, which means they can often be prevented. By following safe fire practices such as properly extinguishing campfires, avoiding burning on windy days, and being careful with equipment, everyone can help protect forests, wildlife, and communities.
Smokey Bear continues to remind us that wildfire prevention starts with individual responsibility.
Sparky the Fire Dog
Sparky the Fire Dog is the official mascot of fire safety education. He helps teach children and families how to stay safe from fire in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
Sparky promotes key fire safety messages such as:
- Know two ways out of every room
- Practice home fire drills
- Stay low and go if there is smoke
- Never play with matches or lighters
- Stop, drop, and roll if clothing catches fire
Through school programs and community events, Sparky helps make fire safety engaging while reinforcing lifesaving habits.