OHSWEKEN, Ontario — A volunteer fire department in Canada is bracing for the worst as the agency struggles to stay afloat. And it may be part of a systemic problem with how the federal government funds its fire departments.
National Observer reported that the department is grappled with multiple emergency calls, staff turnover and a constant struggle to make ends meet. The department’s chief, Matthew Miller, said he’s bracing for “an inevitable disaster,” according to the report.
“As it is right now, we’re barely hanging on by a thread,” Miller said. “Essentially what’s happening is everybody is getting exhausted and pushed to their limits physically and mentally.”
The crew serving the First Nation consists of 21 part-time volunteers, who have separate full-time jobs, and many haven’t been properly trained, according to the report.
The department usually gets two or three emergency calls every day, or about 700 per year, but if that number gets higher the department won’t be able to handle it, according to Miller.
“It’s just a recipe for disaster, for something really bad to happen,” he said.
So far this year, they have dealt with 10 house fires, a large chemical fire at a recycling facility and nine suspected arsons.
Neighboring departments are called in to help with larger emergencies, but Miller called it a “Band-Aid solution.”
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada said in a statement that it provides $26 million annually for fire protection on reserves across the country, according to the report.
“Our regional office is in regular contact with the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation,” it said. “We also know that education and awareness play an integral role in fire safety and we will continue to work with First Nation communities and provide annual funding (to fire education organizations).”
Miller said First Nations across Canada are facing the same issues, because there is no legislative framework to mandate fire prevention and protection.
“First Nations receive funding for fire protection only, not what every other fire service in the world does,” he said. “If you’re in a car accident and you get trapped in your car, we could put the fire out, but we’re not funded to get you out of your car.”