Fire in the Native American-Alaska Native Community

Demographics 575 Recognized Tribes 4,119,301 Native Americans and Alaska Natives (2000 Census) AMERIND Regions

Scope of Problem Fire Related Death Rate for Native Americans: 3x the national average. (51.4 per 1,000,000) Fire in the United States, 11th Edition,

Scope of Problem Fire is the leading cause of childhood injury/death in Native American homes. »(Source: IHS) Top three fire causes: –Children playing with matches –Cooking –Arson »(Source: AMERIND)

Influences Tribal sovereignty Cultural mores Rural communities Varying degrees of fire protection Variety of agencies delivering fire protection Lack of reporting

Players Tribal Councils Tribal FDs NNAFCA BIA IHS NAIHC NCAI AMERIND

What Needs to Be Done 1. Develop culturally sensitive fire prevention materials/programs 2. Improve communication between NAFDs, IHA, IHS, BIA, USFA

What Needs to Be Done Strengthen ties w/AMERIND Enlist NAFDs to develop and participate in a national reporting system to improve access to funding.

Native American-Alaska Native Fire Prevention Outreach Program Disbursed to IAFC for the purpose of reducing the tragedy of fire in the Native American community.

Native American-Alaska Native Fire Prevention Outreach Program –Calls for locating public domain fire prevention materials that can be modified to the Native American community. –Calls for the NNAFCA to begin a pilot partnership w/housing authorities to discuss fire prevention w/occupants. –Calls for continued involvement of AMERIND due to their access to reliable data that gives a snapshot of fire problem.

Progress to Date 1 focus group and 5 task force meetings held (03/02, 05/20, 08/25, 10/22, 11/14, 12/11). Scope of Work modified based on task force input. Importance of multi-year funding impressed upon FEMA. FEMA accepted modifications to scope of work without issue.

Progress to Date Partnerships established with several “players.” Template developed for Native American- Alaska Native fire prevention program

Progress to Date Tentative permission obtained from Assembly of First Nations (Canada) to use Wisdom of the Fire Program.

“Deliverables” Support the expansion of the NNAFCA. Develop a better picture of the fire problem in the Native American community through building relationships between the task force principles.

“Deliverables” Develop products that can be disseminated to the Native American community that will reduce loss from fire. Provide written report to FEMA after each meeting to outline progress.

Principle Deliverables for 03/31/03 deadline: Written report outlining what is envisioned for the program in Final report on accomplishments to date. Native American- Alaska Native Fire Prevention

The Future Petition FEMA for additional funding with a second grant request. (late Feb-early March ’03 reply date) Continue to facilitate relationships between tribal leaders, tribal housing and tribal FDs. Distribute copies and provide training on delivering the components of the template.

The Future Expand the distribution of home fire prevention kits through AMERIND and the NNAFCA. Establish and promote the use of a Native American based fire reporting system.

We need to act now to protect our most valuable possessions