CAFC on Wildfire Needs: "It'll take more than rain" - Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

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CAFC on Wildfire Needs: "It'll take more than rain"

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UPDATE JULY 25, 2024: CAFC Board members Chief Paul Boissonneault and Chief Greg Jones joined CBC Radio morning hosts across Canada to discuss wildfires and need for a national fire administration.

CBC Syndication (07/25/2024)

Canada’s fire departments facing growing pressures - Municipal World (07/31/2024)

Fire chiefs call for national body amid wildfires - CTV News (08/01/2024)

Canada's Fire Chiefs want a National Fire Administration - City News Now You Know with Rob Snow (08/01/2024)

UPDATE APRIL 14, 2024: The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) applauds the announcement by Minister of Emergency Preparedness that Budget 2024 would double the volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credit. Read the press release here: https://cafc.ca/page/volunteer-tax-credit-increase.

Canada’s overburdened firefighters aren’t getting enough support

KEN MCMULLEN AND TINA SARYEDDINE

CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL - JUNE 2, 2023

While the fire service prefers to respond to alarms instead of sounding them, there is an urgent need to bring attention to the state of fire and emergency services in Canada. This country is relying heavily on a volunteer fire service that is seriously overburdened during wildfire season and during the rest of the year. Training and equipment have fallen behind the times. We are adapting to climate change too slowly. The issues are predictable and the situation is unsustainable.

Read the full article here

Read the full PDF version here

CAFC President Ken McMullen, Greg Jones and other Members had taken over forty media interviews across Canada and Internationally. Our thanks to CBC, BBC, CTV. Global News, The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, MacLean's, and others for helping the Fire Chiefs explain what's needed.

A National Issue: Volunteer Firefighter Shortages, Recruitment and Retention

Did you know the CAFC asked the Federal Government to increase the volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credit from $3,000 to $10,000 dollars for the 200 hours, as proposed by MP Gord Johns in Bill C-310? Learn more about Volunteer Firefighter shortages, retention and recruitment across Canada by visiting this webpage

Related Media

August Media Coverage

Answering at a moment's notice: How volunteer firefighting works in Canada

CBC – AUGUST 25, 2023

Summer 2023 in Canada has been marked by out-of-control fires from coast to coast to coast, making it the worst wildfire season on record. One line of defence against these worsening climate events is a network of volunteers that is shrinking each year, say fire chiefs. According to a 2022 report from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), an estimated 90,000 out of 126,000 firefighters across the country are volunteers, making up over 70 per cent. Back in 2016, a similar census counted 156,000 volunteers. This year, over 13.6 million hectares have burned in Canada as of Aug. 16, blowing far past the 10-year average of 2.2 million hectares, with more fires continuing to threaten parts of Northwest Territories and British Columbia.

Read the article here

Power and Politics: Wildfire response takes centre stage at Liberal cabinet retreat

CBC POWER AND POLITICS – AUGUST 21, 2023

August 21, 2023 - Power and Politics brings you the latest on the wildfire response in Western Canada. We hear from federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan, the West Kelowna fire chief and the mayors of both Kelowna and Yellowknife.

Watch the interview here

Ottawa could do more to equip volunteer crews to fight wildfires: firefighter association president

CBC NEWS – AUGUST 18, 2023

This summer, the federal government has started to fund Canada-wide training focused on fighting wildfires. Distributed through a pilot program run by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), the funding is for full-time municipal firefighters and volunteer rural firefighters primarily tasked with putting out fires from buildings like homes, sheds and barns. However, some say more still could be done to train and fund specialty equipment for firefighters who aren't part of provincial wildfire services, particularly volunteer crews that are resource-strapped. Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, says a significant percentage of the country is covered by volunteer firefighting forces.

Read the article here

Residents flee, airlifts begin as wildfire approaches capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories

HAWAIITRIBUNE-HERALD.COM – AUGUST 18, 2023

The fire, boosted by strong winds, was within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of Yellowknife’s northern edge, and people in the four areas at highest risk were told to leave as soon as possible, Fire Information Officer Mike Westwick said. Officials worried that winds could push the flames toward the only highway leading away from the fire as long caravans of cars evacuated the city of 20,000, and although some rain was forecast, first responders were taking no chances. Westwick urged residents in other areas to leave by noon Friday.

Read the article here

Thousands flee wildfires in northwest Canada: 'Get people out as soon as possible'

TELLERREPORT.COM – AUGUST 18, 2023

Canada has suffered a record number of wildfires this year, more than 5,700 fires, which have burned more than 137,000 square kilometers (53,000 square miles) from one end of the country to the other, according to the Canadian Interagency Centre for Forest Fires. On Thursday, there were 1,046 active wildfires in Canada, more than half of which were out of control. In the Northwest Territories alone, 268 fires have already swept through more than 21,000 square kilometers (8,100 square miles).

Read the article here

Wildfire nears capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories as residents flee

WISHTV.COM – AUGUST 18, 2023

YELLOWKNIFE, Northwest Territories (AP) — Residents in the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories rushed to beat a noon Friday deadline to evacuate their homes as one of hundreds of wildfires raging in the territories moved closer to the city of 20,000. Thousands have fled, driving hundreds of kilometers (miles) to safety or waiting in long lines for emergency flights, as the worst fire season on record in Canada showed no signs of easing. The fire was within 16 kilometers (10 miles) of Yellowknife’s northern edge Thursday, and officials worried that strong northern winds could push the flames toward the only highway leading away from the fire, which was choked with long caravans of cars.

Read the article here

July Media Coverage

Calgary Eyeopener with Loren McGinnis, Angela Knight:
Firefighter Check-In with CAFC President and Red Deer Fire Chief Ken McMullen

CBC Radio – JULY 21, 2023

Loren McGinnis and listeners hear what can be done to support frontline crews that are being pushed to the limit.

Listen to the interview here

Daybreak Kamloops with Shelley Joyce:
Canada's wildfire fight with Board Member and Oakville Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault

CBC Radio – JULY 21, 2023

Board Member and Oakville Fire Chief Boissonneault discusses Canada's wildfire fight with Shelley Joyce.

Listen to the interview here (note: the interview begins at 3:30 into the segment)

Canadian wildfires hit Indigenous communities hard, threatening their land and culture

WASHINGTON TIMES/ASSOCIATED PRESS – July 20, 2023

Thousands of fires have scorched more than 42,000 square miles across the country so far. On Tuesday, almost 900 fires were burning- most of them out of control - according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre website. Fires aren’t uncommon on Indigenous lands, but they’re now occurring over such a widespread area that many more people are experiencing them at the same time - and some for the first time - stoking fears of what a hotter, drier future will bring, especially to communities where traditions run deep.

Read the article here

Meet the young Canadians fighting wildfires on the front lines

GLOBE AND MAIL – July 20, 2023

“As our core wildfire season happens at a time when many students have their summer break, they are often looking for work at that time. As such, 30 to 35 per cent of them would normally be expected to return to school in the fall,” said the [BC Wildfire Service] statement. Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, said “a great deal of students” are involved in wildland firefighting.

Read the article here

Cancer kills firefighters but coverage varies by province. A new law seeks to change that

CBC NEWS – July 16, 2023

Fire knows no borders in Canada — but firefighters' workplace compensation for some types of cancer does. A new federal law could change that. The law, formerly known as Bill C-224, will see provinces and the federal government share research about occupational cancers for firefighters, with the goal of establishing greater consistency in coverage across the country.

Read the article here

'Costing these people money to respond to calls': West Parry Sound fire chiefs join call for volunteer firefighter tax credit boost

PARRY SOUND.COM – July 10, 2023

As the country continues to break the record for area burned by wildfires in a single year, local fire chiefs are seeking increased financial support for volunteer firefighters to attract new recruits and keep those already trained. “The recruitment and retention (are) a real crisis in our country,” said Paul Boissonneault, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs secretary and director of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. “To be able to sustain that not only for the rest of this summer but for the rest of the year is going to be challenging.”

Read the article here

As Canada reels from wildfire, First Nations hope for larger role

AL JAZEERA – July 5, 2023

With Canada in the throes of a record-breaking early wildfire season, the country’s Indigenous communities, which include First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples, say it is time for them to be given a more prominent role in shaping the country’s approach to fire and forest management. “Settlers brought a vision of removing fire from the landscape to Canada. But when you take away fire, these landscapes become overgrown,” Amy Cardinal Christianson, an Indigenous fire specialist with Parks Canada from Treaty 8 Metis territory in Alberta, told Al Jazeera in a recent phone call.

Read the article here

June Media Coverage

CAFC Meets with Minister of Natural Resources Canada, The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

OTTAWA – JUNE 21, 2023

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Board of Directors meet with Natural Resources Canada Minister Jonathan Wilkinson to discuss wildfire recommendations, FireSmart, National Fire Advisor, Volunteer firefighters, and pilot projects.

NDP seeks bigger tax break for volunteer firefighters as fire chief warns of crisis

NATIONAL POST – JUNE 21, 2023

OTTAWA — New Democrats are calling on the federal government to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters as they combat wildfires raging across the country. MP Gord Johns held a news conference on Parliament Hill Wednesday alongside Paul Boissonneault, a board member from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, to call for an increase to the volunteer firefighter and search and rescue tax credit from $3,000 to $10,000.

Read the article here

NDP, fire chiefs urge government to boost volunteer firefighter tax credit

CBC NEWS – JUNE 21, 2023

The NDP and Canadian fire chiefs are urging the federal government to boost the volunteer firefighter tax credit as Canada endures a severe wildfire season and a shortage of volunteer firefighters. Courtenay—Alberni NDP MP Gord Johns told a news conference Wednesday the government should increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue workers from $3,000 to $10,000.

Read the article here

NDP MP Gord Johns Urges Raising of Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit

CPAC: HEADLINE POLITICS – JUNE 21, 2023

At a news conference on Parliament Hill, NDP MP Gord Johns calls on the federal government to support his private member’s bill (C-310) to increase the volunteer firefighter tax credit. He is joined by representatives from the Canadian Association of Firefighter Chiefs, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, and the Volunteer Firefighters of Canada. (June 21, 2023)

Watch the full news conference here

The ‘firies’ Down Under

THE GLOBE IN AUSTRALIA – JUNE 17, 2023

Fire-prone Australia relies on mostly unpaid, local brigades to defend against disaster. Canada could look to them for lessons as climate change heats up. Article cites CAFC data.

Read the article here

Read the PDF version here

CAFC President McMullen Discusses Wildfires and more on Global National News

GLOBAL NATIONAL NEWS – JUNE 11, 2023

CAFC President McMullen discuss wildfires, volunteer firefighters tax credit, and need for a national fire advisor on Global National News.

Listen to the full show here

CAFC Interview with CBC The Current's Matt Galloway

CBC THE CURRENT – JUNE 9, 2023

CAFC President and Red Deer Fire Chief Ken McMullen, Redwood Meadows Emergency Services Fire Chief Rob Evans and Moores Mills Fire Department's Volunteer Firefighter Kevin Smith discuss Volunteer Firefighting in the context of Wildfires with CBC The Current's Matt Galloway. At the end of the segment, Matt Galloway asks, "Volunteer firefighters to write in on 'why do you do this' and 'what do you believe could be done to ensure that you are better supported and better protected in that work?' You can email us at thecurrent@cbc.ca."

Listen to the question from Matt Galloway here

Listen to the full show here

Power and Politics: The push for more firefighting resources

CBC NEWS – POWER AND POLITICS – JUNE 8, 2023

Calls for the federal government to make investments in expanding national firefighting resources are heating up. Power & Politics speaks with Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

Watch the full program here

Wildfires: Inside Canada’s struggles to recruit firefighters

BBC WORLD SERVICE – BUSINESS MATTERS – JUNE 8, 2023

Canada has lost 30,000 firefighters since 2016. We talk to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs about their call for more efforts to boost recruitment amid the country's worst wildfire season on record.

Listen to the full program here

CAFC Meets with Minister of Emergency Preparedness, The Honourable Bill Blair

OTTAWA – JUNE 8, 2023

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Board of Directors met with Minister of Emergency Preparedness, The Honourable Bill Blair to discuss needs from within the volunteer fire service and from the fire sector as a whole.

'We've never seen this before': Canada's unprecedented fire season adds pressure to crews

CTV NEWS – JUNE 7, 2023

More than 400 wildfires are burning thousands of hectares of forest and land across Canada in an "unprecedented" start to wildfire season. Ken McMullen, President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says, in his career, he's never seen such an early and devastating start to the wildfires season marked by large fires in regions countrywide.

Read the full article here

Watch: President Ken McMullen Interview with CTV YourMorning

MP Johns asks Government to support bill to increase tax credits for Volunteer Firefighters

CANADA'S NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY – JUNE 6, 2023

OTTAWA – On Tuesday, NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay – Alberni) called on the Liberal government to increase the federal tax credit for volunteer firefighters from $3,000 to $10,000 to give first responders the respect they deserve, as more than 400 fires burn across Canada. MP Johns has a private members bill, Bill C-310, that would increase the tax exemption amount to support these essential first responders, which comes as today over half of his riding was cut off from the rest of Canada due to wildfires closing a major highway.

Read the full article here

Watch: MP Johns asks Government to support bill to increase tax credits for Volunteer Firefighters