Underlining the town’s commitment to helping Indigenous culture and communities, the Oakville Fire department recently welcomed Mr. George Napash of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi’s Fire Services to share his insight on fire prevention tactics and public safety outreach in a month-long mentorship program.
“It has been our pleasure to host Cree Nation’s Fire Prevention Officer for a month-long mentorship on fire prevention strategies," said Oakville Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault.
"We may be from different provinces, but we have a unified goal towards fire safety, and we all serve with pride and commitment for the betterment of our residents.”
The Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) Mentorship Program is the first of its kind in Canada. It started on January 31, 2025 with 10 FPOs from the Cree Nations of Northern Québec travelling to Southern Ontario to work alongside 11 fire departments to gain knowledge and establishing their own programs at home.
As part of the program, each FPO partnered up with an Ontario fire department for one month, supporting the department in bringing their valuable fire safety knowledge and personal experiences to their community.
"We are proud to have participated in the inaugural Fire Prevention Officer Mentorship Program with the Cree Nations of Northern Québec," added Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.
"This program provided a valuable opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing, strengthening our commitment to fire safety and community partnerships."
Mr. Napash’s mentorship in Oakville finished on March 14, 2025, and his time in the town included hands-on experience in fire safety education and community risk reduction strategies.
Napash's mentorship specifically provided a direct experience through multiple different school and community outreach events. Such as fire safety inspections, training sessions and friendly exchanges about the importance of fire prevention and approaches between both departments and their commitment to community safety.
More details about this program are available online here.