Be Fire Safe – Fire Extinguishers Available

The Housing Department has received several fire extinguishers, compliments of Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation. We have a limited number available free to residents of Neyaashiinigmiing on a first-come-first-served basis. The fire extinguishers will be available to be picked up the week of May 17 – 21, from the Housing Department. Please contact the Housing Department at 519-534-1195, by May 14, 2021, to have your name and address added to the list.

Please note, this notice is for private mortgage holders only.

Contained Fires Will Be Allowed

The Chippewas of Nawash Fire Department and the Chief and Council would like to thank the community for their cooperation in refraining from having fires during the Covid-19 crisis. Although we are not out of the woods yet, with respect to the pandemic, we are confident enough in our response that we are going to allow sacred fires, fires for cooking and warmth, and burning barrels.
For safety, ensure that all fires are contained and that you have water or sand nearby to extinguish the fire after you are done. We ask that you CONTINUE TO REFRAIN from having grass fires and bonfires.
Please be mindful of the ongoing social distancing measures. Lifting the fire ban does not mean that we should be gathering with people outside our households, or having friends over to socialize around the fire. All residents are asked to maintain their social distance and not abuse the partial lifting of the fire ban.
We thank you for your patience and support.
Chi-Meegwetch,
Chippewas of Nawash Fire Dept
Chief and Council

A statement from the Fire Department

Councillor Nick Saunders, also Chief of the Nawash Fire Deparment, issued the following statement to the members:

Good afternoon,

All my relations. At this time, the Chippewas of Nawash Fire Department would like to thank all the residents of Neyaashiiningmiing for their help and efforts in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The burn ban now in effect has been put in place to protect and reduce the risk to firefighters.

The burn ban includes unnecessary burning of dead grass and leaves, as well as campfires. We do however respect the traditional medicine people, and the right to have sacred fires, and will allow those fires.

In these unprecedented circumstances, the Chippewas of Nawash Fire Department appreciates the entire community’s cooperation in helping us to stay safe, so that we can better serve the community in a time of need.

Thank you!

The Chippewas of Nawash Fire Department Team