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Fire in the Native American-Alaska Native Community. Demographics. 575 Recognized Tribes 4,119,301 Native Americans and Alaska Natives (2000 Census). AMERIND Regions. Scope of Problem. Fire Related Death Rate for Native Americans: 3x the national average. (51.4 per 1,000,000).
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Demographics • 575 Recognized Tribes • 4,119,301 Native Americans and Alaska Natives (2000 Census) AMERIND Regions
Scope of Problem Fire Related Death Rate for Native Americans: 3x the national average. (51.4 per 1,000,000) Fire in the United States, 11th Edition, 1987-1996
Scope of Problem • Fire is the leading cause of childhood injury/death in Native American homes. • (Source: IHS) • Top three fire causes: • Children playing with matches • Cooking • Arson • (Source: AMERIND)
Influences • Tribal sovereignty • Cultural mores • Rural communities • Varying degrees of fire protection • Variety of agencies delivering fire protection • Lack of reporting
Players • Tribal Councils • Tribal FDs • NNAFCA • BIA • IHS • NAIHC • NCAI • AMERIND
What Needs to Be Done 1. Develop culturally sensitive fire prevention materials/programs 2. Improve communication between NAFDs, IHA, IHS, BIA, USFA
What Needs to Be Done • Strengthen ties w/AMERIND • Enlist NAFDs to develop and participate in a national reporting system to improve access to funding.
Native American-Alaska Native Fire Prevention Outreach Program Disbursed to IAFC for the purpose of reducing the tragedy of fire in the Native American community.
Native American-Alaska Native Fire Prevention Outreach Program • Calls for locating public domain fire prevention materials that can be modified to the Native American community. • Calls for the NNAFCA to begin a pilot partnership w/housing authorities to discuss fire prevention w/occupants. • Calls for continued involvement of AMERIND due to their access to reliable data that gives a snapshot of fire problem.
Progress to Date • 1 focus group and 5 task force meetings held (03/02, 05/20, 08/25, 10/22, 11/14, 12/11). • Scope of Work modified based on task force input. • Importance of multi-year funding impressed upon FEMA. • FEMA accepted modifications to scope of work without issue.
Progress to Date • Partnerships established with several “players.” • Template developed for Native American-Alaska Native fire prevention program
Progress to Date • Tentative permission obtained from Assembly of First Nations (Canada) to use Wisdom of the Fire Program.
“Deliverables” • Support the expansion of the NNAFCA. • Develop a better picture of the fire problem in the Native American community through building relationships between the task force principles.
“Deliverables” • Develop products that can be disseminated to the Native American community that will reduce loss from fire. • Provide written report to FEMA after each meeting to outline progress.
Principle Deliverables for 03/31/03 deadline: • Written report outlining what is envisioned for the program in 2002-03. • Final report on accomplishments to date. Native American-Alaska Native Fire Prevention
The Future • Petition FEMA for additional funding with a second grant request. (late Feb-early March ’03 reply date) • Continue to facilitate relationships between tribal leaders, tribal housing and tribal FDs. • Distribute copies and provide training on delivering the components of the template.
The Future • Expand the distribution of home fire prevention kits through AMERIND and the NNAFCA. • Establish and promote the use of a Native American based fire reporting system.