Chippewas of Rama First Nation fire department included in new mentorship program

By Sam Laskaris

CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA FIRST NATION – The Rama Fire Rescue Service is part of a new mentorship program that is aimed at preventing fires and potentially saving lives in Cree Nations in Quebec.

The Rama fire service, located on Chippewas of Rama First Nation, is part of the newly created Fire Prevention Officer Mentorship Program.

The program, the first of its kind in Canada, was officially launched on Jan. 31 in Orillia.

It will see fire prevention officers from the Cree Nations of Northern Quebec travel to 11 fire departments in southern Ontario over the next few months to gain experience that they will be able to translate into program in their communities.

Jeremy Parkin, the chief of the Rama Fire Rescue Service, said the mentorship program was established after a consulting company had completed its work on risk assessments in Cree Nations.

Parkin, who is also the president of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, said a call was put out to various fire departments across southern Ontario to see if they wanted to be part of the mentorship program.

Besides Rama, 10 other departments in the province are part of the program.

“They were quick to come on board,” Parkin said.

The participating departments are Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, King Fire & Emergency Services, Kingston Fire and Rescue, Kitchener Fire Department, Oakville Fire Department, Orillia Fire Department, Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services, Sarnia Fire Rescue Services, St. Catharines Fire Services and Windsor Fire & Rescue Services.

Reps from the Cree Nations fire departments will travel to Ontario and be paired up with officials from Ontario departments. They’ll be provided with plenty of advice that they will be able to utilize when they return to their communities.

“We offer insights, wisdom and some knowledge,” Parkin said. “(Fire) prevention is the key.”

The Rama and Orillia departments are teaming up to co-host one of the Cree Nation reps.

Though details of the program were unveiled on Jan. 31, Parkin said a Cree Nation fire prevention officer had already been visiting the Rama and Orillia departments for two weeks. Another two-week visit is scheduled for July.

Other fire departments from across the province will have their visits in the coming weeks and months.

Parkin speaks highly of the mentorship program.

“It’s a chance to get the word out there,” he said. “Maybe some other communities will find out about it and say we should reach out to somebody for some help as well.”

Parkin added there is no way to speculate how many lives would be saved by the knowledge gained in the mentorship program or by how many fires will be prevented.

“That’s the thing about it,” he said. “You can’t measure the calls that don’t happen.”

Ted Williams, the chief of Chippewas of Rama First Nation, is fully supportive of the mentorship program.

“(The program) highlights the strength of collaboration in enhancing fire safety,” he said. “By bringing together fire services from Ontario and the Cree Nation communities of Northern Quebec, this initiative equips officers with vital skills and knowledge to safeguard their communities, while fostering meaningful connections that will have a lasting impact.”

Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty, from the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istche)/Cree Nation Government, also is in favour of the program.

“Fire prevention is so vital for our communities, especially with the unique challenges we face,” she said. “This mentorship program will give our Fire Prevention Officers the knowledge and support needed to better protect our communities and build a safer future for all in Eeyou Istchee.”