May 21, 2025 – Williams Lake, BC
Tŝilhqot’in Nation Enhances Emergency Response with Community Fire Trucks
The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) has distributed six Ford F550 fire trucks retrofitted with a water tank and pump to the Tŝilhqot’in communities. These new trucks, supported with funding from Indigenous Services Canada, mark a significant step forward in strengthening the Nation’s capacity for emergency response and fire protection.
This milestone reflects over a decade of advocacy by former Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse and is a direct outcome of the Collaborative Emergency Management Agreement (CEMA) signed in 2018 between the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the Province of BC, and the Government of Canada. The agreement was created to recognize and support the Nation’s inherent jurisdiction and traditional knowledge in emergency management.
These trucks directly address critical needs identified in The Fires Awakened Us report, which was developed in response to the devastating 2017 wildfires. The report calls for Indigenous-led emergency preparedness and response measures that are grounded in the land and community.
TNG acknowledges and appreciates the continued partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and remains committed to building resilient, Indigenous-led emergency management systems across all six Tŝilhqot’in communities.
“These fire trucks are the result of our Nation standing strong and demanding change. They are a direct outcome of our leadership’s commitment to assert Tŝilhqot’in jurisdiction over emergency management and protect our communities on our own terms. We are seeing the devastation that wildfires can have on communities right now across the provinces. Our hope is that these trucks can reduce the potential spread of fire within our communities.
— Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Otis Guichon, Tribal Chief, Tŝilhqot’in National Government
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Links:
Contact:
Nikki Berreth
Communications Manager
nberreth@tsilhqotin.ca
250 302 3979
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