OHSWEKEN — Representatives from the Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services attended the Ontario Native Firefighter Society Annual General Meeting & Firefighter Competition.
This year’s provincial gathering was hosted June 3rd & 4th by the Garden River First Nation located near Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.
First Nation Fire Chiefs, Firefighters & Fire Protection representatives from across Ontario attended the event to discuss the many Fire Protection Issues that first nations currently face and begin discussion on possible solutions through the initiation of a strategic plan.
Also in attendance were representatives from Indigenous & Northern Affairs Canada and Ross Nichols Fire Marshal of Ontario/Chief of Emergency Management for the province of Ontario.
The meetings were followed by the 2016 Ontario Native Firefighter Competition.
After a full day of competition it was announced at the awards banquet that the Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services Team were selected by their peers to receive the Steve Nolan Memorial Award which represents the team exemplifying Most Sportsmanlike conduct.
It was also announced that the Six Nations Fire Team received a perfect score, taking first place in all events and as a result were the 2016 Ontario Native Firefighter Competition Champions.
The team is now preparing to represent Ontario at the Nationals but will not have to travel very far as Six Nations was selected last fall to host the 2016 National Aboriginal Firefighter Competition & Conference which will be taking place this August 10 – 14, 2016.
This honour and privilege comes at a very perfect time as 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services.
The week of meetings, training & competition will be capped off by the Annual Six Nations Fire Grand Gala black tie fundraiser, which will be held at the Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s on Saturday, August 13, 2016.
All funds raised by the grand gala go towards the purchase of additional equipment, and training opportunities needed to continue to keep our families and the community of Six Nations safe.
Last year’s grand gala sold out and the full house in attendance enjoyed an elegant evening of delicious food & entertainment which helped to successfully raise $56,000.
