Hamilton Fire Chief seeks Committee approval to donate surplus fire trucks to First Nations Communities
HAMILTON, ON – Today at the Healthy and Safe Communities Department Committee meeting, the Hamilton Fire Department sought approval to donate two surplus fire trucks to the Nigigoonsiminikaaning and Couchiching First Nations Communities to help address their need for fire apparatus equipment.
Recently, the Ontario Chief Coroner announced that an investigation will be taking place as a result of dozens of residential fires in Indigenous Communities that have killed nearly 60 people in just over a decade. Six Nations Fire Chief Matthew Miller (who is also the president of the Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society) raised concerns about the adequacy of First Nations fire protection levels. Many First Nations communities have a great need for fire apparatus, but no funding to acquire them. To help address this, the Hamilton Fire Department reached out to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, who oversees the Northern Ontario Fire Protection Program about the possibility of donating two surplus fire trucks to benefit First Nation communities. The Hamilton Fire Department also worked closely with the Senior Project Manager of the City of Hamilton’s Urban Indigenous Strategy.
Following Council approval, the Nigigoonsiminikaaning and Couchiching First Nations Communities will each receive a 1997 Freightliner 3 - person, commercial cab vehicle with a 1,350 gallon water tank and a 420 gallon per minute pump. The Hamilton Fire Department Mechanical Division will conduct a full vehicle safety inspection and complete any necessary repairs before each fire vehicle is delivered.
Representatives from the Hamilton Fire Department will work with each First Nation Community to work out the details for each donation.
Quick Facts
- Each fire truck is a 1997 Freightliner 3 - person, commercial cab vehicle with a 1,350 gallon water tank and a 420 gallon per minute pump
- To conform to Fire Underwriters Survey guidelines, a fire truck becomes surplus when it has served its full life cycle of 20 years of front-line service within the Hamilton Fire Department.
- Although these fire trucks are no longer suitable for service in a major centre such as Hamilton, it is anticipated that in the smaller communities, it will be able to provide many years of service.
- The Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation is an Anishinaabe community located in northwestern Ontario, approximately 40 kms east of Fort Frances. The community has a total population of 372 citizens, and is a member of the Grand Council of Treaty #3. The governance of Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation is made up of the Chief and three Councillors.
- Couchiching First Nation is an Anishinaabe community located just 4 kms east of Fort Frances on Highway 11 in northwestern Ontario. Couchiching has a population of 2,552 citizens and is one of the largest of the 28 First Nations within the Grand Council Treaty #3. The Chief and six Councillors govern the operations and administration of Couchiching First Nation.
“For 20 years, these fire vehicles have helped us serve the City of Hamilton well, and I am proud that it will continue to be put to good use and help save lives in these First Nations Communities.” - David R. Cunliffe, Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department
“Thanks to the leadership of the Hamilton Fire Department, the City has a wonderful opportunity to continue to build mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples here in Hamilton, across the province and with these two Indigenous communities through these fire vehicle donations”. - Paul Johnson, General Manager, Healthy and Safe Communities Department