Emergency Management FireSmart program
Call for proposals is now open
The 2024 to 2025 period to submit proposals is now open. Proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until funding is exhausted.
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About the program
The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond using the 4 pillars of emergency management:
- mitigation
- preparedness
- response
- recovery
EMAP supports wildland fire non-structural mitigation and preparedness initiatives through the FireSmart funding stream. FireSmart builds skills in First Nations communities to prevent and prepare against wildland fires. Programming involves training First Nations teams in wildfire suppression duties, as well as fuel management and vegetation clearing, which reduces the intensity and spread of wildfires. FireSmart also leverages Indigenous knowledge of the local environment and terrain to improve emergency planning, preparation, and response to wildfires. FireSmart project funding is available for initiatives, such as:
- wildfire pre-suppression planning
- wildfire risk assessments
- fuel reduction, forest thinning, prescribed burning
- fire breaks
- wildland fire crew training
- vegetation management
- fire mapping
- FireSmart training, workshops, conferences
- community and youth engagement
Funding for risk assessments is also available through the First Nations Adapt Program. Fire-related infrastructure projects may be eligible under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program. Consult your ISC regional office emergency management contact for guidance on which program best suits your needs.
In British Columbia, FireSmart funding for First Nations communities is administered through the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS). Please contact FNESS directly for any FireSmart-related projects in BC.
The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) allows for the purchase of low-value equipment for emergency preparedness and mitigation projects through the program's proposal-based funding streams:
- Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness
- FireSmart
Examples of low-value equipment include:
- firefighter protective gear
- vegetation management equipment
- fire suppression tools
To learn more, consult the Low-value equipment purchases under EMAP page.
Who can apply
- First Nations communities
- Tribal councils
- Indigenous organizations
Eligible activities
To be eligible for funding, the proposed project must directly support First Nations located on:
- a reserve, as defined in s.2(1) of the Indian Act, R.S.C (Revised Statues of Canada 1985, c. (chapter) 1-5
- lands set aside in Yukon as per Cabinet Directive (Circular No. 27) entitled Procedure for Reserving Land in the Yukon and Northwest Territories (1955)
or
- lands formerly defined as a reserve of lands set aside which now form part of modern treaty settlement lands
Deadline
Project proposals will be considered on an ongoing basis until the funds are exhausted or until March 31, 2025.
How to apply
1. Complete the Emergency Management FireSmart Program project funding application:
- For the 2024 to 2025 application form:
- Enter 6978382 in the Filter items box on the Proposals, applications, work plans web page
2. Submit the form to your ISC regional office emergency management contact.
If your First Nation community is in British Columbia, please contact First Nations Emergency Services Society for instructions and the application procedure:
Quentin Nelson, FIT
Email: qnelson@fness.bc.ca
Telephone: 250-320-7682 ext. 513
Kamloops Office: 250-377-7600 ext. 205