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FIRE CHIEFS ISSUE FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CALLS TO ACTION

TO FEDERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On April 17, 2025, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), issued two calls to action to all election candidates recognizing that the return of Parliament may coincide with heightened fire and life safety risks associated with the season. 

The calls to action are as follows: 

1. A National Fire Administration intended to help Canada address and coordinate issues related to wildfire, explosives, housing policy, construction, tariffs, federal response to emergencies, green technologies, marine transportation, clean energy, defense, first responder mental health, training, emergency management, and others with fire departments. 

2. Investment in fire and life safety equipment intended to restore Canada’s cache of aging fire and emergency equipment in the face of increasing costs, volumes, and complexity of calls. 

The Fire Chiefs have been on the record with serious concerns about the challenges in implementing solutions to Canada’s growing fire and life safety issues in the face of increase wildfire, construction, and innovations like lithium-ion batteries. 

"There are fire and life safety implications in federal policies set by at least 14 different federal departments which are often in policy makers blind spots. Fire departments themselves also need to be apprised early and effectively to prepare for federal policy intentions related to green infrastructure, housing, training, and other areas of practice", says Chief Ken McMullen, President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. 

The fire chiefs are also concerned about aging equipment and the impact of equipment that is not compliant with industry standards on the ability to perform fire and rescue services for individuals and properties, retain community fire protection ratings and . According to CAFC’s Great Canadian Fire Census, close to 60% of all fire departments are deferring equipment purchases due to financial pressures. 

View the Calls to Action here.

For More Information

Elissa Freeman for the CAFC

416-565-5605

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About the CAFC

Founded in 1909, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is an independent, non-profit organization representing approximately 3,200 fire departments across Canada either through individual chief officers (1000+) or through a national advisory council of all provincial, territorial, and national affiliate fire chief related organizations. The CAFC’s vision is Canada’s fire and emergency management leaders united in service of public health and safety. Its mission is to advance safe, effective, and sustainable fire and emergency services across Canada.  More information can be found at www.cafc.ca