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Emergency Management FireSmart Program

Wildland fire preparedness support for First Nations

Offered by
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Official source: sac-isc.gc.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
March 31, 2027
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
First Nations communities
See full eligibility

Overview

The Emergency Management FireSmart program funds First Nations, tribal councils and Indigenous organizations for wildland fire preparedness and mitigation on reserve. Eligible activities include wildland firefighting training, wildfire risk assessments, and vegetation management for emergency planning.

At a glance

Funding available

Varies by project

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Quebec
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Social Services
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
Local

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

FireSmart call period updated

The FireSmart program call period and application form were updated to 2026 to 2027, with the deadline now March 31, 2027.

See more

The Emergency Management FireSmart program now shows the 2026 to 2027 call period instead of 2025 to 2026. The application form reference was also updated, and the deadline is now March 31, 2027. No changes are visible to who can apply, funding terms, or contact details.

Official source: sac-isc.gc.ca
April 21, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • First Nations communities
  • Tribal councils
  • Indigenous organizations

Eligible expenses

  • Wildland fire emergency management training, onsite or off-site.
  • Wildland firefighting equipment and related items, such as chainsaws or wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Wildland fire preparedness, such as vegetation management costs.
  • In-community workshops and attendance or hosting wildland fire emergency management forums; wildland fire mapping or fire risk studies; conducting research and recording Indigenous knowledge; consultant fees; equipment rentals for mock exercises; signage; and administrative fees not exceeding 10% of the total funding request.
  • Low-value equipment for emergency preparedness and mitigation, subject to funding availability, if it is basic equipment required for trainees to safely and efficiently accomplish their training, is one-time funding that does not exceed $10,000, and requires little to no maintenance.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Purchase of equipment costing over $10,000 or capital equipment items.
  • Installation of equipment.
  • Benefits, insurance, interest, and banking fees.
  • Food or meals, except as part of travel when community members are training, working or participating in a forum or workshop outside their community as part of the proposed project.
  • First aid or emergency management kits or evacuation boxes, gifts or honoraria, except for an honorarium for an elder at an event, and salaries for existing employees funded by another Government of Canada program.

Eligible geographic areas

  • A reserve, as defined in s. 2(1) of the Indian Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. I-5.
  • Lands set aside in Yukon as per Cabinet Directive (Circular No. 27) entitled Procedure for Reserving Land in the Yukon and Northwest Territories (1955).
  • Lands formerly defined as a reserve or lands set aside which now form part of modern treaty settlement lands.

Activities funded

  • Wildfire pre-suppression planning and wildfire risk assessments.
  • Fuel reduction, forest thinning, prescribed burning, fire breaks, and vegetation management.
  • Wildland fire crew training.
  • Fire mapping.
  • FireSmart training, workshops, conferences, and community and youth engagement.

How to apply

  • Complete the Emergency Management FireSmart Program project funding application.
  • For the 2026 to 2027 application form, enter 6978382 in the Filter items box on the Proposals, applications, work plans web page.
  • Submit the form to your ISC regional office emergency management contact.
  • If your First Nation community is in British Columbia, contact the First Nations Emergency Services Society for instructions and the application procedure.

Documents Needed

  • Emergency Management FireSmart Program project funding application

Selection criteria

  • Community risk, including past emergency events and regional wildland fire risk.
  • Project impact, including community capacity and number of people benefiting.
  • Project feasibility, including the work plan and budget.
  • Eligible expenditures.
  • Priority may be given to communities that have not previously received FireSmart funding.

Processing and Agreement

  • Proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until funding is exhausted.
  • Applications are reviewed based on community risk, project impact, feasibility, eligible expenditures, and previous FireSmart funding received, unless otherwise stated by the applicable regional office.
  • Applicants will be notified by the regional office on the status of their application and eligibility.
  • The funding approach used to transfer funds will be identified in the recipient's signed funding agreement.
  • Reporting requirements are listed in the recipient's funding agreement, and reports must be accurate and submitted on or before the due dates.

Additional information

  • The FireSmart program is separate from the FireSmart Canada program.
  • In British Columbia, FireSmart funding for First Nations communities is administered through the First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS).

Contacts

areynolds@fness.bc.ca
778-694-9982

Official sources

sac-isc.gc.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Emergency Management FireSmart Program Program

What is the Emergency Management FireSmart Program?

The Emergency Management FireSmart program funds First Nations, tribal councils and Indigenous organizations for wildland fire preparedness and mitigation on reserve. Eligible activities include wildland firefighting training, wildfire risk assessments, and vegetation management for emergency planning.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Emergency Management FireSmart Program program?

To be eligible for the Emergency Management FireSmart Program program, you must: The proposed project must directly support First Nations located on a reserve, lands set aside in Yukon, or lands formerly defined as a reserve or lands set aside which now form part of modern treaty settlement lands.

What expenses are eligible under Emergency Management FireSmart Program?

Wildland fire emergency management training, onsite or off-site. Wildland firefighting equipment and related items, such as chainsaws or wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE). Wildland fire preparedness, such as vegetation management costs. In-community workshops and attendance or hosting wildland fire emergency management forums; wildland fire mapping or fire risk studies; conducting research and recording Indigenous knowledge; consultant fees; equipment rentals for mock exercises; signage; and administrative fees not exceeding 10% of the total funding request. Low-value equipment for emergency preparedness and mitigation, subject to funding availability, if it is basic equipment required for trainees to safely and efficiently accomplish their training, is one-time funding that does not exceed $10,000, and requires little to no maintenance.

Who can I contact for more information about the Emergency Management FireSmart Program?

You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at areynolds@fness.bc.ca or by phone at 778-694-9982.

Where is the Emergency Management FireSmart Program available?

The Emergency Management FireSmart Program program is available the province of Quebec.

Is the Emergency Management FireSmart Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Emergency Management FireSmart Program is a Grant and Funding