| Revision as of 04:15, 13 January 2025 editRickScott (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users628 edits →History: new section; rationale for existence; fold in "Structure" section← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 10:02, 13 January 2025 edit undoRickScott (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users628 edits →Role: +note re MARS & CANUS agreements | ||
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| == Role == | == Role == | ||
| CIFFC coordinates mutual aid requests and information sharing between domestic agencies and with international partners.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /><ref name="GlobalAsks">{{cite news | url = https://globalnews.ca/news/10950398/los-angeles-wildfires-canada-resources-aid/ | title = L.A. wildfires: U.S. asks Canada for resources as provinces send aid | last = Previl | first = Sean | date = 9 Jan 2025 | website = Global News | access-date = 11 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> In addition to domestic resource sharing, mutual aid agreements also exist with the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /> | CIFFC coordinates mutual aid requests and information sharing between domestic agencies and with international partners.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /><ref name="GlobalAsks">{{cite news | url = https://globalnews.ca/news/10950398/los-angeles-wildfires-canada-resources-aid/ | title = L.A. wildfires: U.S. asks Canada for resources as provinces send aid | last = Previl | first = Sean | date = 9 Jan 2025 | website = Global News | access-date = 11 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> In addition to domestic resource sharing, mutual aid agreements also exist with the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /> | ||
| While CIFFC is funded by its members (along with the federal government)<ref name="About-CIFFC">{{cite web | url = https://www.ciffc.ca/about/about-ciffc | title = About CIFFC | access-date = 13 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref>, it has no authority over them; its only role is to coordinate.<ref name="Guitard-2024">{{cite web | url = https://documents.ncsl.org/wwwncsl/Events/quebec-2024/Guitard-May%202024%20MTF%20Mtg%20Presentation.pdf | title = Who is SOPFEU? | last = Guitard | first = Sylvain | date = 17 May 2024 | access-date = 13 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> The Canadian Interagency Mutual Aid Resources Sharing (MARS) Agreement provides the concrete formal basis for exchange of equipment, personnel and aircraft between agencies. Similar agreements exist with the United States, providing for expedited exchange of resources across the international border. <ref name="About-CIFFC" /> | |||
| == Activities == | == Activities == | ||
| During the fire season, CIFFC hosts regular coordination calls between all agencies to maintain awareness of the evolving resource availability situation.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /> It posts daily situation reports summarizing the national wildfire picture, showing which agencies may be able to respond to requests for assistance, and which likely cannot.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://ciffc.net/situation/archive | title = CIFFC Situation Reports | date = 25 Sep 2024 | website = Caandian Interagency Forest Fire Center | access-date = 12 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> | During the fire season, CIFFC hosts regular coordination calls between all agencies to maintain awareness of the evolving resource availability situation.<ref name="BCWS-CIFFC" /> It posts daily situation reports summarizing the national wildfire picture, showing which agencies may be able to respond to requests for assistance, and which likely cannot.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://ciffc.net/situation/archive | title = CIFFC Situation Reports | date = 25 Sep 2024 | website = Caandian Interagency Forest Fire Center | access-date = 12 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> | ||
| == |
=== Notable deployments === | ||
| * In December 2019, CIFFC firefighters deployed to Australia for the first time, reciprocating the efforts of Australian fire crews in Canada in 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/canadian-firefighters-australia-wildfires-1.5410727 | title = More Canadian firefighters ship out to battle Australia wildfires | date = 30 Dec 2019 | author = The Canadian Press | website = CBC News Manitoba | access-date = 12 Jan 2025 | language = en }}</ref> | |||
| == Member agencies == | |||
| {{columns-list| | {{columns-list| | ||
| * ]: ] | * ]: ] | ||
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| * ]: Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency | * ]: Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency | ||
| * ]: Manitoba Wildfire Service | * ]: Manitoba Wildfire Service | ||
| * ]: Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services (AFFES) | * ]: ] (AFFES) | ||
| * ]: Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) | * ]: {{ill|Société de protection des forêts contre le feu|fr}} (SOPFEU) | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:02, 13 January 2025
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, more commonly known by the acroynm CIFFC, is the organization that coordinates mutual aid requests between Canadian wildfire suppression agencies. Its role is analogous to that of the National Interagency Fire Center in the United States.
History
Faced with critical resource shortages in the difficult fire seasons of 1979 through 1981, several of Canada's wildfire management agencies began to recognize the need for a coordinated response by their respective governments. CIFFC was founded on June 2, 1982 to formalize the sharing of information, staff, and equipment. It is a not-for-profit corporation owned & operated by the various agencies that make up its membership.
Role
CIFFC coordinates mutual aid requests and information sharing between domestic agencies and with international partners. In addition to domestic resource sharing, mutual aid agreements also exist with the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
While CIFFC is funded by its members (along with the federal government), it has no authority over them; its only role is to coordinate. The Canadian Interagency Mutual Aid Resources Sharing (MARS) Agreement provides the concrete formal basis for exchange of equipment, personnel and aircraft between agencies. Similar agreements exist with the United States, providing for expedited exchange of resources across the international border.
Activities
During the fire season, CIFFC hosts regular coordination calls between all agencies to maintain awareness of the evolving resource availability situation. It posts daily situation reports summarizing the national wildfire picture, showing which agencies may be able to respond to requests for assistance, and which likely cannot.
Notable deployments
- In December 2019, CIFFC firefighters deployed to Australia for the first time, reciprocating the efforts of Australian fire crews in Canada in 2017 and 2018.
Member agencies
- British Columbia: BC Wildfire Service
- Alberta: Alberta Wildfire
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
- Manitoba: Manitoba Wildfire Service
- Ontario: Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services (AFFES)
- Quebec: Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU)
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Parks Canada
References
- ^ "Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre". Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Caandian Interagency Forest Fire Center. 25 Sep 2024. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
- Handschuh, Darren (10 Jan 2025). "BX Swan Lake firefighters will answer the call to help fight fires in California". Castanet. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
CIFFC is a federally incorporated not-for-profit corporation established June 2, 1982.
- ^ "Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC)". BC Wildfire Service. 10 Aug 2022. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
- Previl, Sean (9 Jan 2025). "L.A. wildfires: U.S. asks Canada for resources as provinces send aid". Global News. Retrieved 11 Jan 2025.
- ^ "About CIFFC". Retrieved 13 Jan 2025.
- Guitard, Sylvain (17 May 2024). "Who is SOPFEU?" (PDF). Retrieved 13 Jan 2025.
- "CIFFC Situation Reports". Caandian Interagency Forest Fire Center. 25 Sep 2024. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
- The Canadian Press (30 Dec 2019). "More Canadian firefighters ship out to battle Australia wildfires". CBC News Manitoba. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.
- "Inside Canada's wildfire central command centre". CBC News: The National. 2 Jun 2023. Retrieved 12 Jan 2025.