Indigenous Public Safety Conference 2025
The 2025 Indigenous Public Safety Conference is dedicated to enhancing safety, emergency management, and community resilience across Indigenous communities. This year's conference will be hosted at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, hear from industry experts, and engage in discussions that address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the realm of public safety.
Join us from October 21-24, 2025, for an inspiring and action-oriented gathering focused on strengthening Indigenous public safety across Canada.
If you have any questions please contact IPSC@indigenousfiresafety.ca
Check back regularly on our website for more information about the upcoming conference.
Pre-Conference Training Sessions
Registration for the NIFSC 2025 Pre-Conference Training is officially OPEN!
The NIFSC is excited to announce the following pre-conference training opportunities. The training courses will take place on October 21 and 22, 2025. Pre-conference training sessions are available for $50. Each participant can register for one two-day training session. Training sessions will be hosted at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
Fire and Life Safety Educator
Instructor: Paul Knudsgaard and Fred Morrison
Certification: NIFSC certificate of completion
Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to deliver effective public fire education. Topics include fire myths vs. realities, human behavior during fire emergencies, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences. Students will learn how to select educational materials, work with the media, and evaluate program success. This course meets NFPA 1035 Chapter 4 (Fire & Life Safety Educator I) standards.
Requirements: Laptop required as students are required to design and deliver a power-point presentation and write an exam.
S-100 Basic Suppression and Safety & S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance
Instructor: Leon Smallboy & Kevin Oman
Certification: S-100 certificate from BCWF and S185 NIFSC certificate of completion
This course is designed as a foundational entrance into the wildfire services. S-100 covers wildfire suppression basics including fire behavior, safety, equipment use, and initial attack strategies, combining classroom and field instruction. S-185 builds on this with a focus on fire behavior awareness, entrapment prevention, and safe decision-making during wildfires.
Requirements: Outdoor clothing and boots (if available)
Resilient Minds™ for First Responders
Instructor: Steve Fraser
Certification: Resilient Minds for Indigenous Responders through the CMHA
This course fosters psychological resilience among fire teams. Participants will learn to recognize and respond to psychological injuries and trauma, promoting a mentally healthy work culture.
NOTE: Class times are shortened to accommodate the emotional nature of the content.
Traditional Fire Knowledge
Instructor: Arnold Lazare
Certification: NIFSC certificate of completion
Explore Indigenous cultural burning practices and their impact on modern fire management, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity. The course establishes a foundation in traditional fire knowledge, encouraging sharing of current practices and experiences.
Note: Come prepared to participate and share your experiences, challenges, goals.
Standard First Aid & CPR Level C – Canadian Red Cross
Instructor: Brett Pituka
Certification: Standard First Aid & CPR Level C (Valid for 3 years)
Comprehensive first aid and CPR training for all age groups. Topics include cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies, AED use, and managing bleeding, fractures, and burns. Meets provincial/territorial workplace safety legislation.
Requirements: Hands-on class requiring moderate physical activity.
Fire Department Admin – 1
Instructor: Blaine Wiggins
Certification: IFMS Issued Certificate (required course for Fire Officer 1 Proboard Certificate)
This course is based on NFPA 1021: Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2020 Edition. The course identifies the requirements necessary to perform administrative duties in the fire service. This course introduces the student to fire service management and supervision context by including topics as Organizational Structure, Communication Skills, Human Resource Management, Public Relations, Planning, Emergency Service Delivery, and Occupational Health & Safety.
Requirements: Student reference material will be provided, laptops & tablets are encouraged for group activities.
ICS 100 and ICS 200
Instructor: Gavin Albert
Certification: ICS Canada I-100 & I-200
I-100 introduces ICS structure and terminology for all responders. I-200 expands on this with leadership roles, planning, and operational coordination. Completion of I-100 is required before I-200. These courses support standardized emergency response across jurisdictions.
Requirements: One 3-hour online session post-conference required for I-200 completion
Search and Rescue Fundamentals
Instructor: To Be Confirmed
Certification: To Be Confirmed
Covers the fundamentals of urban disaster response including search strategies, victim location, structural assessment, and rescue operations. Practical training with specialized equipment is included. Emphasis on safety, teamwork, and inter-agency coordination.
Requirements: To be confirmed
Conference Sessions
Registration for the NIFSC 2025 Indigenous Public Safety Conference is officially OPEN!
Join us in Calgary, Alberta, for three days of collaboration and community-focused learning. Take part in impactful sessions, hear from inspiring speakers, and connect with fire safety and emergency professionals from across Turtle Island.
Participate in conference session streams discussing topics of Fire Service Operations, Fire Prevention, Occupational Health and Safety, Wildfire, Climate Change and Emergency Management.
Check back regularly for updates on speakers.
Conference Schedule
The Conference Schedule at a Glance is now available! The full conference schedule will be released in the coming months, please check back regularly for updates and new announcements.
Call for Speakers
Registration is now open!
The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council is inviting speakers interested in sharing their knowledge, experiences, and achievements to apply for our annual IPS Conference. This years conference topics are Fire Operations, Fire Prevention, Climate Change, Wildfire, Emergency Management and Occupational Health and Safety.
The conference portion of our event will take place in Calgary, AB on October 22 - 24 and has been designed to bring together leaders from all emergency services sectors and technical organizations with community members to collaborate on knowledge and tools that support Indigenous Nations in building their internal capacities around emergency services and governance.
Deadline to register as a speaker is May 16, 2025
Indigenous Public Safety Conference Tradeshow
Attention vendors, suppliers, and partners!
We are excited to announce that the NIFSC 2025 Indigenous Public Safety Conference Tradeshow registration is officially open!
This year’s event will be hosted at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre in Calgary, AB from October 23 to 24.
Last year's tradeshow was a great success, attracting 350 participants from industry experts, fire departments, and community-level firefighters and volunteers. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to showcase your organization and products at our national event.
The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council is excited to continue our corporate sponsorship opportunity for this year's Indigenous Public Safety Conference Tradeshow. By becoming a corporate sponsor you will unlock exclusive benefits from enhanced visibility for your organization, speaking opportunities during the event, complimentary tradeshow booth, and more great benefits.
Event Details:
Day 1 – Tradeshow, Thursday October 23, 2025
- Tradeshow set up 7:00 am
- Tradeshow opens 8:00 am
- Tradeshow Day 1 concludes 5:00 pm
Day 2 – Tradeshow, Friday October 24, 2025
- Tradeshow set up 7:30 am
- Tradeshow opens 8:00 am
- Tradeshow Day 2 concludes 3:00 pm
- Tear Down 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
