NIFSC - National Indigenous Fire Safety Council

11/05/2026

The 2026 National Firefighting Competition has come to a close. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the competing teams. Every single squad demonstrated outstanding professionalism, camaraderie, and respect both on and off the course.

Please join us in celebrating this year’s award winners!

- 1st Place Champion: Manitoba – Cross Lake (Pimicikamak) First Nation

- 2nd Place: Alberta – Blood Tribe (Kainaiwa)

- 3rd Place: Saskatchewan – Black Lake First Nation

- Most Sportsmanlike Team: British Columbia – Lower Nicola Indian Band

- Best Presentation: Manitoba – Cross Lake (Pimicikamak) First Nation

To every team that stepped onto the field, thank you for your dedication, your sportsmanship, and your unwavering commitment to protecting your communities.

11/05/2026

What an unforgettable week in Saskatoon! Despite the cold and relentless wind, the teams and volunteers made the competition a huge success.

Our participants showed their grit, skill, and unwavering dedication under tough conditions were inspiring to watch. You truly showed what it means to lead under pressure.

Thank you to our volunteers and judges for braving the elements, keeping things running smoothly, and ensuring every drill was executed fairly and safely. We couldn't do this without your tireless hard work!

And to everyone who joined as a spectator, thank you for bundling up and cheering on our competitors with so much passion. Your energy kept everyone going!

A Very Special Thanks to Glencore We extend our deepest gratitude to our competition sponsor, Glencore. Without your generous support and commitment, this year's national competition simply would not have been possible. Thank you for championing our firefighters and investing in our community.

Thank you to everyone who came together to support our first responders.

11/05/2026

There’s still time to bring fire safety education into your classrooms and youth programs. We’ve extended the deadline for the 2026 Poster Contest: Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower! to November 30, 2026.

This is a great opportunity to work with your students and youth groups to explore how First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth can become "Battery Safety Superheroes." Using our free downloadable lesson plans and checklists, youth can draw Torch the Turtle demonstrating key safety rules, like charging on hard surfaces, using original cords, and unplugging devices when fully charged.

New Deadline: November 30, 2026

Grab your lesson plans, activity guides, and full submission details here: https://indigenousfiresafety.ca/events/2026-national-poster-contest/

We can’t wait to see your students' creative safety superpowers in action!

The 2026 National Poster Contest details will be published here once finalized.

11/04/2026

Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc., the recipient of the 2026 National Indigenous Fire Prevention Leadership Award, in recognition of its outstanding leadership, commitment, and dedication to advancing fire safety, emergency preparedness, and community resilience throughout Wolastoqey communities.

Through its comprehensive approach to public safety, the organization has demonstrated a commitment that extends beyond traditional fire protection to include Search and Rescue initiatives, the implementation of FireSmart programming, the development of drone capabilities to support emergency response and situational awareness, and emergency mapping to strengthen community preparedness, response coordination, and risk management. These initiatives demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and an understanding that protecting communities requires an integrated approach to fire prevention, wildfire mitigation, emergency management, and public safety.

Embracing innovative technologies, building local capacity, strengthening emergency response capabilities, and addressing the unique risks and service gaps experienced by First Nations communities, Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. is helping create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

Having experienced tragedies, under the leadership of Kirk Hannah and Don Stenger, these incidents have been turned into strategic actions that improved resiliency and exemplifies the values and purpose of the National Fire Safety Award.

11/04/2026

The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council (NIFSC) is recruiting for a Communications Data Analyst, Event and Logistics Support role.

If you’re passionate about community safety, capacity building, and supporting First Nations leadership, we want you on our team!

Visit the Opportunities page on our website to explore all current listings and apply today: https://indigenousfiresafety.ca/opportunities/

11/03/2026

10/29/2026

That’s an official wrap on the 2026 Indigenous Public Safety Conference in Saskatoon!

A heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible participants who joined us this year. The dedication, passion, and energy you brought to every room made this year's gathering truly unforgettable. We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our speakers, instructors, and facilitators for generously sharing your wisdom, experiences, and vital insights with our delegates.

We host this conference each year to give Indigenous communities a dedicated platform to connect directly with leading industry experts, learn about innovative solutions, and engage in meaningful conversations. More importantly, it provides a vital space to build lasting relationships, strengthen professional networks, and share knowledge that empowers communities across Turtle Island. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to community safety!

10/27/2026

History was made today at the Indigenous Public Safety Conference!

Our very own Torch the Turtle got to meet up with his fellow fire safety friends for an unforgettable moment! Sparky the Fire Dog from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Ember from FireSmart Canada, and Smokey Bear all came together for the first time ever to give our guests the ultimate surprise. Seeing all four of these fire safety mascots side-by-side on the conference floor brought so much joy and excitement to everyone in attendance!

Together, Torch, Sparky, Ember, and Smokey Bear are joining forces to spread vital education, inspire our youth, and help make communities safer right across the country.

10/26/2026

That’s a wrap on Day 1 of the 2026 Indigenous Public Safety Conference!

What an inspiring and powerful first day! The sessions were filled with incredible energy, deep engagement, and meaningful discussions from start to finish. Our participants had the opportunity to connect, learn, and gain insights aimed at strengthening safety and resilience across our communities.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible lineup of speakers for sharing your knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences with us today. Thank you as well to all of our participants for your engagement and dedication to public safety.

10/26/2026

Mental health is fundamental to community safety and the well-being of our first responders. Today at the 2026 Indigenous Public Safety Conference, we had the honor of hosting an important panel discussion with PSPNET Canada

The panel brought forward an extremely impactful discussion on the vital importance of addressing one's mental health, breaking down barriers, and supporting those who serve our communities. PSPNET provides free, confidential mental health support tailored specifically for Canadian public safety personnel, offering essential resources to help navigate the unique challenges of public safety work.

A heartfelt thank you to PSPNET, our Platinum Sponsor, for your generous support in making this year’s conference come to life. Thank you for empowering our participants with such crucial mental health information and for walking alongside us in building stronger, healthier communities!