Today the Government of Canada announced that $400,000 through the first phase of the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate - Training Fund will be provided to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to fund a pilot project to help build wildfire fighting capacity and enhance training best practices.
This funding will be directed to the IAFF's Responding to the Interface (RTI) program, which will provide specialized training to structural firefighters, expanding their skills and capabilities. This training will help better prepare and equip firefighters to fight wildfires, with a focus on the wildland urban interface (WUI).
"This wildfire season has been historic, with more intense fires in more parts of Canada than ever before. The first priority of this government is the health and safety of Canadians. That is why we are partnering with the IAFF to deliver more firefighters and high-quality training opportunities across Canada. We will continue to work with the partners to expand our wildfire fighting capacity — to protect and preserve Canadian lives and livelihoods." — The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Through this pilot project, the IAFF will train 25 instructors on how to deliver consistent and effective wildfire response training through a Cadre Building training program in Kamloops, British Columbia. In addition, the IAFF will deliver 15 courses across five different locations in Western Canada, training up to 325 structural firefighting personnel on urban interface wildfire training.
Mike Carter, IAFF 6th District
"The need to defend our communities from encroaching interface fires is imperative. We're grateful to the Government of Canada and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources for funding the IAFF's Responding to the Interface training program so that firefighters can safely and effectively protect Canadians and their homes from this danger." — Mike Carter Vice President, International Association of Fire Fighters 6th District
Over 10 percent of Canadians live in interface areas comprising 32 million hectares across the country, where urban communities intermingle with flammable environments like forests. In our fight against wildfires, the interface is an urgent area of focus. Interface fires pose the greatest threats to lives and livelihoods and can have devastating impacts even when contained — like the spreading of thick smoke and evacuations that can cause immense stress on residents and families.
"As this challenging wildfire season continues to impact communities and livelihoods across the country, protecting Canadians remains our first priority. Today's announcement with the International Association of Fire Fighters will help expand our wildfire fighting capacity and increase our ability to respond to future wildfire seasons. Thank you to all the firefighters, first responders and Canadian Armed Forces personnel who have been working tirelessly to keep communities safe." — The Honourable Harjit Sajjan President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
Complementing the Government of Canada’s commitment to train 1,000 new wildland firefighters over five years, this pilot project will help to inform best practices and recommendations for the future delivery of wildland firefighter training in advance of phase 2 of the Training Fund set to launch next year.
“It was an honour to have Ministers Jonathan Wilkinson and Harjit Sajjan at the District of North Vancouver’s Firehall #4, alongside many representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters, including Mike Carter, IAFF 6th District Vice President, Gord Ditchburn, IAFF Senior Executive for Western Canada and several leaders from Local 18, Local 296 and local 1183.
We have seen that the 2023 wildfire season has had a devastating impact across Canada. These kinds of fires are especially dangerous in the wildland urban interface.
The BCPFFA is pleased with today’s announcement from the federal government partnering with the IAFF for its Responding to the Interface (RTI) program. We look forward to the launch of this training. Safety and specialized training is the priority and this program will enhance both public and first responder safety while protecting life and property in the interface..” — Todd Schierling, President BCPFFA.
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