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First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program
Funding for First Nations fire protection services
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 20,900,000
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Canada
Overview
Provides annual funding to First Nations for fire protection and fire insurance on reserve. Supports fire prevention, firefighting services, fire halls, equipment, training, assessments, and capital investments.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $20,900,000
- Develop a new program or service
- Enhance an existing program
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop workforce skills
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Train or support volunteers
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
- Renovate or expand facilities
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
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
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations communities on reserve
- First Nations band councils
- First Nations fire and emergency services organizations
Who is not eligible
- Third parties outside the reserve
- On-reserve lessees
- Non-First Nations interests
- For-profit enterprises
- Natural disaster response services
Eligible expenses
- Firefighting equipment and tools
- Fire trucks and other fire vehicles
- Fire halls and fire protection infrastructure
- Firefighter training and education
- Operations and maintenance of fire assets
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Emergency response to natural disasters
- Fire service to third parties off reserve
- Fire service to lessees, non-First Nations interests, or for-profit enterprises
- Forest and grass fire response requiring specialized registration and training
- Medical emergency response, motor vehicle accident response, and search and rescue
Eligible geographic areas
- First Nations communities in Canada
- First Nations on reserve
- Regional eligibility follows the ISC office serving the community
Activities funded
- Fire prevention education and awareness programs
- Firefighter training and capacity development
- Fire service assessments and community risk assessments
- Fire hall and fire infrastructure projects
- Purchase of firefighting equipment and vehicles
How to apply
- Step 1: Prepare the proposal
- Identify the fire protection need and the type of support requested.
- Prepare the relevant planning documents for the project.
- Step 2: Submit through ISC process
- Apply through the First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan or another process established by the regional ISC office.
- Submit the proposal to the appropriate ISC regional office.
- Step 3: Follow regional instructions
- Provide any additional information requested by the regional office.
- For municipal-type service agreements, work with the regional office as required.
Documents Needed
- First Nation Infrastructure Investment Plan
- Band Council Resolution
- Fire service assessment
- Community risk assessment and risk reduction plan
- Capital investment plan or project proposal
Selection criteria
- Urgency of health and safety risks
- Readiness for the next funding tier
- Community risk and service needs
- Alignment with ISC priorities and the Fire Protection Strategy
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed under ISC's tiered funding approach.
- Funding decisions depend on community needs, available funding, and priority ranking.
- Higher-tier projects require prior completion of lower-tier requirements.
- Approved projects must follow ISC infrastructure and fire protection standards.
Additional information
- Funding is provided annually through ISC.
- First Nations band councils manage how the funds are used.
- Funding may also support fire insurance.
- Regional or national First Nations fire organizations may also be funded for specific fire protection functions.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program Program
What is the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program?
Provides annual funding to First Nations for fire protection and fire insurance on reserve. Supports fire prevention, firefighting services, fire halls, equipment, training, assessments, and capital investments.
How much funding can be received?
First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program Funds up to $20,900,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program program?
To be eligible for the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program program, you must:
First Nations band councils
On-reserve fire protection projects
Regional ISC requirements
What expenses are eligible under First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program?
Firefighting equipment and tools
Fire trucks and other fire vehicles
Fire halls and fire protection infrastructure
Firefighter training and education
Operations and maintenance of fire assets
Who can I contact for more information about the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at Fire-Protection-Incendie@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Where is the First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program available?
The First Nations Fire Protection Funding Program program is available across Canada.