Not all Canadian homeowners are adequately protected against fire hazards, but a federal government study identified First Nation reservations as greatly vulnerable to fires.
The study was conducted in 2011 but was only recently publicized due to Access to Information laws.
According to a report released by the Canadian Press, only 56% of First Nation reservations all over Canada have adequate protection against fire, but in most cases, it was because nearby towns and cities included them in the area serviced by their fire departments. The remaining 44% had little to no protection, relying on poorly trained and underfunded volunteer firefighter groups that are ineffective against serious fires.
The report also stated that the risk of a fire erupting was 2.4 times greater at a First Nation reservation than the rest of Canada. Reservation residents are also ten times more likely to die in a house fire, with most victims of the tragedies being children. Aside from lack of protection due to ineffective local firefighting forces, many buildings are run down or do not comply with building safety codes. While First Nation reservations in Atlantic Canada tend to have better protection against fire, communities in British Columbia and Manitoba are most at risk.
Lucie Lee Frappier, senior underwriter at MGA April, noted that the statistics were “upsetting but not surprising.” Other concerns she mentioned were some dwellings’ distance from a fire hydrant or station, as well as jurisdiction problems regarding fire and police departments. Some buildings were also unable to meet the industry’s insurability standards.
“It would be great for brokers to get involved with these communities to educate and inform about the hazards and risks. There are some quick opportunities available but some challenges will take a combined and longer term approach with the specific Councils involved," Frappier said.
