The Matawa First Nations Management FireSmart Project was able to secure two wildfire-rapid attack bush trucks/units as part of a pilot project.
The FireSmart Project is a partnership between FireSmart Canada/Ontario, Indigenous Services Canada, and participating First Nations.
The trucks have been allocated to the Eabametoong First Nation and Webequie First Nation who have the infrastructure to house the trucks.
Fires on community infrastructure have been a challenge for these communities, and the trucks are set to help with the issue.
Training for personnel using the units in their communities got underway on Tuesday in Thunder Bay. It will include instruction from the MFNM fire marshals and commercial emergency equipment experts where the units were purchased.
The units will begin serving their allocated communities when the 2023/2024 winter road season opens.