We are pleased to report our activities to the community for the year 2014-2015. Aside from budgets and statistics, most services and programs we provide during the year have not provided significant change. We are now considering in providing insurance coverage for all volunteers, such as security, search and rescue, animal control, ice/water rescue teams for the next fiscal year. One thing that might bring change is that the roles and responsibilities of Public Safety Officers are also under review by CNG and legal counsel and may be standardized for all Cree Public Safety Officers. One of my roles as the Public Safety Officer is to assist the Fire Chief and his department in following up on the implementation of the CRA By-Law approved by Council Board. I believe we will meet the training deadlines as proposed early in the next fiscal year, including a Fire Prevention Officer position which will be available in the next year.
One of the important and essential requirements is to develop protocols, standard operating procedures or safety programs for our various rescue teams. These are at present in complete as we have agreed to work together in standardizing them. We are also looking forward to working with CNG on standardizing our roles and responsibilities and assist in the development of these protocols in the next fiscal year. It was unfortunate not to meet the CNG’s deadline on equipment needs for the Fire Department. However, we were given the opportunity to resubmit them at the management meeting in Montreal. We continue to work with Quebec’s Ministry of Environment MAPAQ program and AANDC on risk management and emergency planning. It is the Public Safety Officer’s responsibility to constantly update the Emergency Measures Plan and is a very important tool when dealing with community emergencies. Several directors within the organization have important roles and have pursued the essential training. Risk management training provided by AANDC was very interesting, as it dealt with critical infrastructure
such as water, power, telecommunications, heating systems; common interruptions we face in the community and the need to address and improve on these.
This year we conducted a number of local search and rescue missions and one by helicopter in the spring for missing persons. Most search and rescue missions are conducted during goose break and moose break. Several reports received were alcohol-related, including driving under the influence, which is why we needed to act quickly. This year our search and rescue teams have not assisted in any regional search and rescue missions. A search and rescue safety program guide is now being developed and requires time, review and approval. Several community by-laws were drafted and posted during the year and one is the by-Law concerning the Keeping of Dogs. It has been one of the on-going issues in the community and the Public Safety Department will ensure implementation of this new by-Law in the next fiscal year. We no longer work with Refuge Capricorne but we continue to work with Jan Hannah from IFAW. They bring in their dog clinic to offer spaying, neutering and other vaccines. MAPAQ also provided technical assistance and vaccine training and were able to provide vaccine training for three of our summer students; Rachael Wapachee, Andreanne Etapp and Candice Bosum. There were fewer complaints and, according to our records, our dog population is declining with less strays in the community. We continue to provide a 24-hour full-time security service on an as-needed basis, including during goose-break and the summer holidays. The local securities patrol the community at nights beginning June ending September and continue again during the Christmas holidays. There is always a request to have security services during community or recreational events, such as traffic control. Our final report indicated a decline in vandalism, mischief, loitering and drinking in public places during the year. However, house break-ins were on the rise.
Fire Department
The Fire Department is a service that is used by the community 24/7/365 days. There is always a crew of fire fighters on call and ready to respond to an emergency at any time of the day. The Fire Department is made up of 15 trained Fire Fighters and a few untrained firefighters. There is always one (1) Captain who answers the calls and five (5) fire fighters who are ready to respond to any calls day or night. There is also additional help when it is needed. The Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer.
The Fire Department is also in charge of the general safety of the community and fire prevention. The Fire Prevention Officer has a responsibility and gets support from Regional Fire Protection By-Law. The Fire Prevention Officer conducts home and building inspections yearly, conducts Fire Drills in all public buildings. At the school, he teaches students about Fire Safety.
The volunteer fire fighters from the Department contribute their time to many community events. They usually provide the security when as is needed.
Operations
From April 2017 to March 2018, we had 75 calls in total. The Ouje-Bougoumou Fire Department plays a big role in the community of Ouje-Bougoumou ensuring the safety of all community members. In the emergencies, the Firefighters perform a door to door checks to community members who are unreachable through communication. The Fire Department also conduct Search & Rescue, and Enforce the animal control by-law. We also participate as security for the safety for the members in a community events, such as Halloween, Christmas, Year News, fishing derbies and other events that are organized by different entities.
As of September 2018, all roles and responsibilities from Public Safety were handed over to the Fire Chief.
The Department keeps itself busy throughout the whole year. Such as day to day operations. Cleaning our fire trucks, fire department, tools, bay area, practices, responding to all calls.
We always get the first call from the community members when an incident occurs and we are more then happy to provide the help the community needs. The Cree Nation Governance also assists all Cree Nation fire departments on enforcing the by-law for all fire departments.
We have a Fire Chiefs meeting 4 times a year with Cree Nation Governance, discussing different topics on how to improve all Fire Departments.
I would like to thank all the fire brigades for keeping the community safe to live in, they have an important role for the community. I am looking forward in having more certified firefighters from our community. I would like to see more Youth to join our department.
Thank-you.
Stanley Bosum, Fire Chief .
Vision Statement
Ouje-Bougoumou Fire Department is recognized by those we serve, our members as we provide the best fire, medical, and life safety services in the community of Ouje-Bougoumou.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Ouje-Bougoumou Fire Department is to serve the community by protecting lives, property and the environment through prevention, education and immediate professional response to all emergencies.
Values
Honor, Courage, valor, dedication and service
