2024.2 Interoperable Accessible Wildland Firefighter Training

(Adopted at the 2024 Annual General Meeting)

Preamble

2024.2.1 The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs recognizes the critical importance of comprehensive wildland firefighter training and access to nationally standardized wildland firefighter training across Canada to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and interoperability among firefighters operating in diverse jurisdictions and environments;

2024.2.2 90% of all fire departments are involved in wildland firefighting

2024.2.3 Some municipal fire departments do not receive provincial wildland firefighting assistance 

2024.2.4 Access to resources and curriculum development programs held by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of fire responders involved in wildland fire response efforts and is publicly funded;.

Recommendation

2024.2. 5 That the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs ask the federal government and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to fund access to and facilitate implementation of standardized wildland firefighter training programs nationally, thereby promoting greater coordination and alignment of training efforts among all levels of fire services agencies across Canada;

2024.2.6 That the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs will actively engage with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre and other relevant stakeholders to explore opportunities for knowledge sharing, best practice dissemination, and the development of standardized training protocols to better equip first responders across Canada in combatting wildfires.

This resolution is enacted to address the pressing need for enhanced wildland firefighter training and access to curriculum development programs, recognizing it as a critical issue for all first responders engaged in wildfire response efforts nationwide.