Applications for funding open today
EDMONTON, Feb. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - People in communities throughout
Canada have an opportunity to apply for funding to support efforts to strengthen their
resilience against wildfire by participating in the third annual Wildfire Community Preparedness Day (WCPD) in Canada, to be held on May 6, 2017. The announcement was made today by Partners
in Protection Association/FireSmart Canada, in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute
for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) and The Co-operators.
"Managing the risk of wildfire is a shared responsibility in which many stakeholders, from governments to individual community
members, can and must play constructive roles," said Kelly Johnston, executive director of
FireSmart Canada. "We appreciate the strong leadership and support The Co-operators, ICLR and NFPA are providing on this issue as
our founding WCPD partners; and are very pleased to be working with all of them in building communities' resilience to
wildfire."
The national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day campaign brings groups together across the country to participate in local
mitigation projects that reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and neighbourhoods. Starting today, through to
March 21, groups and individuals are invited to apply for funding to support local events beginning
May 6 and continuing throughout the summer. Up to 20 projects will receive funding. For a list of
application rules and project ideas, visit firesmartcanada.ca.
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day projects may include initiatives such as clearing leaves and other combustible debris from
around homes and other structures, working with neighbours to get a chipper service to remove slash, and distributing wildfire
safety information. Groups of all sorts and individuals of all ages are welcome and encouraged to take part.
To learn more about National Wildlife Community Preparedness Day in Canada, please visit
www.firesmartcanada.ca.
About FireSmart Canada
FireSmart Canada is the go-to national program committed to helping Canadians reduce their wildfire risk and
become fire adapted through community-based solutions. FireSmart is administered by Partners in Protection Association; a
non-profit coalition of federal, provincial, first nations', private industry and municipal fire, emergency and land
management experts. Through publications, programs, outreach training, and workshops, FireSmart provides tools for Canadians
to become pro-active in reducing the risk of wildfire to their homes and communities. FireSmart programs and products are
supported through membership and ongoing active support from organizations such as the Canadian Interagency Forest
Fire Centre, the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, the National Fire Protection Association and The Co-operators.
For more information on FireSmart visit www.firesmartcanada.ca .
About the National Fire Protection Association:
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global non-profit organization, established in 1896, devoted to
eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Founded in 1896, NFPA delivers
information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and
advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering our mission. NFPA membership totals more than
60,000 individuals around the world. Its mission is to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge and passion.
All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org.
About the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction:
Established in 1998 by Canada's property and casualty insurers, ICLR is an
independent, not-for-profit research institute based in Toronto and at Western University in London, Canada. ICLR is a centre of excellence for
disaster loss prevention research and education. ICLR's research staff is internationally recognized for pioneering work in a
number of fields including wind and seismic engineering, atmospheric sciences, water resources engineering and economics.
Multi-discipline research is a foundation for ICLR's work to build communities more resilient to disasters. Visit www.iclr.org.
About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $44 billion in
assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm
insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to
sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the
Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For
more information visit www.cooperators.ca.
SOURCE The Co-operators
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