NIFSC Team Information

Arnold Lazare

Interim Chief Executive Officer

As past President of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC), the parent organization of the NIFSC, and past project lead of the Indigenous Fire Marshal Office, Arnold has advocated for and been an active participant in the creation of the NIFSC.

Arnold serves as liaison to the Canadian Council of Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Canadian Fallen Firefighter Foundation, the First Nations National Building Officers Association, and other similar associations to promote the NIFSC and its goals. As a Program Delivery Specialist with the IFMS, Arnold works mainly within Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, assisting communities to empower themselves through the development, improvement, and implementation of fire safety services.

He has been a member of the Kahnawake Fire Brigade for over 43 years, where he was past Fire Chief (17 years), a paramedic of 35 years (retired), and still active as an engineer and first responder.

He is the Former Director of Public Safety for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake where he was responsible for all aspects of the Emergency Management Program and has been active in supporting the recent efforts in combatting Covid-19.

As an IFSAC Accredited Instructor with both the Justice Institute of BC and the Ecole Nationale des Pompiers de Quebec (Quebec Fire Academy) Firefighter I & II, Evaluator, Haz Mat Operations, Non-Urban Officer Training and Self Rescue, Arnold has facilitated the training of several hundred firefighters over the years. As an Emergency Management Instructor with the Red Cross and Quebec Indigenous Services, he has worked to ensuring communities are capable of handling emergencies by building self-reliance within.

Arnold resides in Kahnawake Mohawk Nation with his wife.

Blaine Wiggins

Senior Director IFMS

Originally from the Bay of Quinte Mohawks in Ontario, and raised in the interior of British Columbia, Blaine Wiggins is committed to improving safety in First Nations communities. Blaine has led regional and national organizations to bring awareness and support measured progress to address legislative, policy, capacity and resource gaps in First Nations fire and emergency services.

With an extensive emergency services background in wildfire, paramedic, municipal firefighting, and disaster emergency management, Blaine has also worked as a Chief Fire and EMS Officer. His experience also includes community evacuations, pandemic and floods incidents, and major emergency wildfire events including the 2009 fatal fire in Australia.

Blaine’s professional experience is complemented by credentials in public administration, computer science, emergency management, extensive fire service credentials and a Master’s Degree in Justice and Public Safety.

Brett Pituka

Sr. Deputy Fire Marshal – Operations / Training Director / Accredited Trainer

Brett Pituka is a passionate educator, paramedic, and advocate for culturally inclusive health and safety education. With a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of British Columbia and over two decades of experience in healthcare and education, Brett is dedicated to fostering learning environments that empower individuals and communities.

As the Training Director for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Brett is overseeing the development of an Indigenous-focused firefighting academy and has presented at national conferences. Additionally, Brett has designed and delivered customized training for paramedics and firefighters, with a focus on Indigenization of curriculum.

Brett’s career highlights include developing high-fidelity paramedic training simulations, providing culturally safe healthcare for Indigenous communities, and collaborating with diverse communities across seven countries to deliver culturally responsive healthcare education and empowerment programs. In all endeavors, Brett combines technical expertise with a deep commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusion.

Whether in the classroom, community, or field, Brett’s mission is to inspire learning, advance cultural understanding, and improve the quality of service delivered to underserved populations.

Len Garis

Director of Research

Len Garis is the Director of Research for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council.
He is also the Senior Advisor for the Centre for Social Data Insights and Innovation at Statistics Canada, a retired Fire Chief for the City of Surrey B.C.

An Adjunct Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice & Associate to the Centre for Social Research at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), Associate Scientist Emeritus, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, a member of the Affiliated Research Faculty at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and a faculty member of the Institute of Canadian Urban Research Studies at Simon Fraser University.

Len currently resides in Coquitlam.

Mandy Desautels

Chief Administrative Officer

Mandy Desautels is a visitor to the unceded traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations. She holds a B.Sc. in global resource systems from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining the NIFSC in late 2020, she worked for BC Emergency Health Services and prominent NGOs focused on community development and public health.

As the Chief Administrative Officer, Mandy oversees the divisions of corporate services and population and partnership services. Mandy has two small children, Kai, and Liv, and lives with her family in Surrey, BC.

Jeremy Parkin

President

Jeremy Parkin is from Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. His firefighting career began 25 years ago and includes experience in volunteer fire departments, and over twenty years as a career firefighter, Deputy Chief and Fire Chief. He is currently the Director of Emergency Services for the Chippewas of Rama First Nation where he oversees the fire department, paramedic services, and emergency management.

His background includes extensive training delivery in Ontario in firefighting and emergency management. He is a returning Director with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs where he is the Vice President. He is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusivity in emergency services.

He lives north of Rama, where he and his wife raise their two children.

Allan Peters

Secretary / Treasurer

Allan Peters is from Elsipogtog, NB. His emergency services career spans over two decades and includes service as a paramedic, ambulance chief and firefighter. In addition to his role with AFAC, Allan is a New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs board member. He applies his fire investigation and inspection expertise in support of improving fire safety in Indigenous communities. Allan loves the sense of achievement from his work and the people that he meets. He lives with his wife and their two dogs.

Anthony Moore

Emergency Management / Disaster Resiliency Representative

Anthony Moore, from the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw, holds the traditional name Sgahats’aagan and belongs to the House of La’ay of the Eagle Tribe. A 4th-generation firefighter and Emergency Medical Responder, he has served the Gitwinksihlkw Fire Department for 25 years.

Currently, Anthony is the Emergency Operations Coordinator for the Penticton Indian Band, overseeing emergency disaster planning, FireSmart programs, grant writing, and structural firefighting. This new role allows him to build a strong foundation for emergency response within the community.

Anthony’s leadership roles include Vice President of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada, President of the First Nations Emergency Services Society, and Vice President of the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary. He has also worked as the Emergency Response Services Manager for Nisga’a Lisims Government and as an Indigenous Liaison for the Salvation Army’s National Emergency Disaster Services.

A graduate of the Justice Institute of British Columbia in Emergency Management, Anthony is a passionate advocate for Indigenous emergency responders. He has presented at major conferences across Canada, including the National Indigenous Public Safety Conferences, advocating for increased funding, capacity building, and program development in First Nations communities.

Ashley O'Neil

Wildfire Representative

Ashley O’Neil is Ktunaxa Nation on her mother’s side and Metis/Mohawk on her father’s side. She grew up in the Columbia Valley and lives on the Akisqunk reservation located in Windermere/Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia. She is a band member of Aqam First Nation located in Cranbrook, British Columbia.

Ashley started firefighting 15 years ago as a structural firefighter in her hometown and has been a structural firefighter in BC, Saskatchewan and Montana, USA.

In 2018, she was introduced to wildland firefighting and became a firefighter, crew leader, Strick team leader, company manager of ’Neill Consulting Ltd., medic, danger tree assessor and an instructor for wildfire and many other courses in wildfire and forestry training.

She worked in the Cariboo and Kootenay region providing training and recruiting in Indigenous communities.

Erin Myers

Metis National Council Representative

Erin Myers represents the Métis Nation through her role as the Director of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management for the Métis National Council. Her role as Director is to advocate nationally and internationally for the inclusion of the Métis in program and policy development, to ensure that the Métis Nation has an active role in environment and emergency management dialogues, and to support Governing Members in advancing their environmental priorities.

Prior to this role, Ms. Myers led the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program for 13 years, which supports First Nation and Inuit communities in leading their own research to minimize the impacts of climate change and advance Indigenous Climate Leadership.

Ms. Myers is an “Honorary” member of the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, and most importantly, she is a mother to Gavin and Cullen who remind her to walk gently and respectfully on Mother Earth.

Melvin McLeod

Director at Large

Melvin McLeod lives in Nipissing First Nation, located just west of North Bay, Ontario. He has served Nipissing First Nation Fire Service for almost 30 years. Melvin is proud to work with the Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society (ONFFS) and the AFAC Board, helping to undertake meaningful work. He is grateful for his four children and supportive wife, who enables him to be away from home when duty calls and supports his practice of traditional harvesting activities for moose, deer, and fish.

Michelle Vandevord

Saskatchewan Representative (NIFSC Executive Director 2024-2025)

Michelle Vandevord (Day Star Woman) is an active member of the Muskoday First Nation Volunteer Fire Department and is the longest-serving female firefighter in the department’s history as well as its first female captain.

She started her career in Prince Albert as an officer delivering fire prevention programs to communities and is now the executive director of Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management (SFNEM) in Prince Albert.

She is a member of the Saskatchewan Fire Chiefs Public Education committee and was recognized for her inclusion in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Rising Star Program.

She lives in her community of Muskoday First Nation and is the mother of three daughters and three adopted sons. She is a very proud Kookum to four smart, handsome and funny grandsons.

Owen Monague

Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society

Owen comes from the Ojibwe community of Beausoleil First Nation, located in Southern Georgian Bay, Ontario. Owen is the representative for the Ontario Native Firefighters Society.

Owen is a father to 3 young children. His 3 young children fuel his passion to protect his community as Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator.

Since his time as Fire Chief, Owen has developed several key partnerships that advanced their response and skills for the First Responders and community. These partners have included the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Simcoe County Fire Chiefs Association, local/neighbouring municipal partners and Emergency Management Ontario, to name a few.

Owen has been an active member with Beausoleil Fire & Emergency Services for 20 years serving as a Firefighter and Deputy Fire Chief before becoming the Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator. Owen also served on a municipal department as a Paid On Call Firefighter for 4 years before accepting the position of Fire Chief with Beausoleil Fire.

Owen recently joined the Board of Directors for Camp Molly- Ontario with the goal to Empower and Educate young women in the Fire Service.

Owen’s previous professional experience includes Trust Comptroller and Recreation Manager.

William ‘Billy’ Moffat

Vice President / Quebec Representative

William Moffat is a member of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation in Quebec. A firefighter since 2001, he is committed to helping others achieve excellence.

Billy uses his expertise to help departments and communities draft funding applications and has been successful in securing funding and services. He began his career with the Amerindian Police Service in March 1982.

He worked as a police officer for several years in the First Nations communities of Listuguj, Waskaganish and Wemindji. Billy has received numerous awards, including the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (2018), the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2012) and the Police Exemplary Service Medal (30 years).

He takes pride in implementing community-based practices and enjoys serving all First Nations communities.

Adam Samms

National Incident Reporting System (NIRS) Manager

Adam has over nine years of experience in leading, managing, and coordinating medium-to-large-scale projects concerning environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and electrical grid infrastructure. He also has ten years of experience in data collection and analysis for multiple environmental sustainability and other engineering projects.

Adam oversees and manages incoming fire incident reports in addition to data validation, database management, data mining, and addressing issues found within data. Adam works closely with the Director of Research to ensure that the findings in the NIRS data are supporting research initiatives, both current and future.

Adam holds multiple degrees from St. Thomas University, Royal Roads University, and the New Brunswick Community College. He also has a Project Management certificate from the University of California Irvine, ICS I-100/ I-200 certificate from the Government of Nova Scotia, and a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System certificate from Transport Canada. Adam also holds an Amateur Radio License from Industry Canada and volunteers with the City of Fredericton and the Emergency Measures Organization as an emergency communications operator.

Daniel Perron

Fire Safety Specialist, IFMS

Daniel has been involved in the fire community since 1980, first in the private enterprise and then in various fire departments in Québec. He took his basic training at the block and module level, prevention training at the École polytechnique de Montréal, managerial training at the Université de Montréal, and response management training at the Montmorency, St-Jean and Chicoutimi Colleges.

Over a 30-year career he has been a fire service manager in four different cities. He was also fire safety advisor to the Quebec department of public safety for six years in the regions of Montérégie, Estrie, Montréal, Laval, the Outaouais and Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean. He has held the position of vice-president, part-time chapter, of the ACSIQ [Quebec association of fire chiefs] for five years and has been a regional director for 12 more years. Chief Perron has also been a member of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Board of Directors for five years.

He is presently working for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council as a Fire Safety Specialist in the Indigenous Fire Marshal Service.

Frederick Morrison

Fire Safety Specialist

Frederick has been involved in the fire service for over 43 years. He started his career in the fire service with Natural resources fighting wildfires then he moved into the municipal fire department as a volunteer firefighter where he was member of the rescue squad, Regional Hazmat team(coordinator) where he worked his way up to fulltime. During this period, he has obtained numerous courses in the fire service and is a journeymen firefighter and obtained the rank of lieutenant then acting captain in the department. Frederick also spend 7 yrs working and an EMT with the local regional health Centre. He further his career after 19yrs with the municipal of Bathurst NB by accepting a position as firefighting specialist for a water desalination and power plant in Saudi Arabia where he held the position of deputy chief of operations, training and fire life safety inspections in a industrial/ housing discipline. After 5 yrs he returned back to Canada and accepted a position with the Nunavut government as assistant fire marshal/ firefighting specialist, territorial fire specialist training officer, he has since retire from Nunavut and returned home and continued to do work in the fire protection field as consulting / training indigenous fire department for Indigenous Services Canada Atlantic region and works as a casual for National Indigenous fore safety council in the Atlantic region. During these years Frederick has obtain serval courses such as Fire Explosion Investigator (Canadian / NAFI certified), Fire service administration, Fire Inspector, fire service instructor 1 &2, Fire and Life Safety Educator level 1,2,3 and Juvenile fire setter intervention specialist 1&2 and many other fire service-related courses.

Karmen Cozens

Manager, Training and Events

Karmen looks after all aspects of Training including accreditation, registration, program planning and development, partnerships, and moving multiple Strategic Goals forward. Karmen’s career consists of helping people reach new places, whether it’s an educational pursuit, commercial banking, or mediating/conflict resolution. She brings a strong background in Education, working the last 4 years at a First Nation Government in Yukon and over a decade at Camosun College in Victoria, BC. Karmen herself is a lifelong learner, with an Associate Degree in Arts and a bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies from Royal Roads University. As a Civil Mediator for 18 years, she has been a Provincial Civil Court Mediator and runs a private practice. Karmen’s skills and her ability to develop partnerships along with collaborative problem-solving, are beneficial to the workplace. We look forward to her open-minded style and working with her as the Deputy Training Chief.

Leon Smallboy

Deputy Fire Marshal Alberta Region, IFMS

Leon is from Treaty 6 Territory in Maskwacis of Ermineskin Cree Nation and grew up in the Residential School system as a day school student and survivor.

He began his career in the Fire Service in 1991 as a full-time firefighter and eventually became Fire Chief. He has worked in forestry firefighting specializing in Wildland Urban Interface and began working for the NIFSC and IFMS in 2012.

As the Deputy Fire Marshal, Leon supports First Nation firefighters and fire departments in all aspects of the fire discipline and serves as a liaison with other provincial, federal, and territorial governments, fire services, and First Nations and their fire services.

Simon Lefebvre

Wildfire Research Advisor

Simon Lefebvre is an experienced emergency services professional who began as a wildland firefighter in 2014, then as structural firefighter in Northern Alberta before relocating to Edmonton. He holds a diploma in Emergency Management and a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education.

He enjoys living off of the land and loves activities such as hunting, foraging, trapping, and long solo hikes.

Simon is a Wildfire Research Advisor for The National Indigenous Fire Safety Council who is passionate about strengthening First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities through knowledge sharing.

Hiy Hiy

Tamara Chenosky Injates

Administrative Assistant

Tamara is located on the West Coast of Canada, a visitor on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwikwetlem, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, Squamish, Qayqayt, and Sto:lo Nations. She has respect for the lands and their history and appreciates all opportunities to deepen her understanding of Indigenous peoples and their cultures.

As an Administrative Assistant for the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, Tamara handles a diverse range of responsibilities. Her location allows for on the ground logistical support, as well as remote work. She is detail-minded and believes in organizational excellence. Tamara is currently assisting with the activities of the National Incident Reporting System (NIRS) team.

Tyler Gary

Communications Manager

Tyler is responsible for developing and managing the digital web and social media presence of the NIFSC. He is also responsible for establishing a communication strategy to ensure information is shared with the correct local organizations and First Nations in a timely and effective manner.

Prior to joining the NIFSC, Tyler was the Communications Officer for Serpent River First Nation in Cutler Ontario. Other roles include working as a video editor for the Canadian Football League in Toronto and as an in-studio camera operator and video editor for Rogers Media. He has a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Film Making Studies from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, and resides in Elliott Lake, Ontario.

William (Billy) Gowans

Fire Safety Specialist

William (Billy) Gowans is a highly qualified Fire Safety Specialist with a strong background in both fire services and Emergency Management. His professional tenure at the First Nations Emergency Services Society saw him successfully manage both the Fire Services and Emergency Management departments. Billy's extensive education includes NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 and 2, Fire Service Instructor 1, Fire and Life Safety Educator, and certifications in Wildland firefighting, Structural Protection, and Flood Water Management. He also holds IFSAC Seals for Firefighter 1 and 2, and Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations. Further demonstrating his expertise, he possesses an Emergency Management certificate with advanced training in ICS 100 through 400 and Emergency Operations Centre levels 1, 2, and 3. Beyond his public safety roles, Billy is a certified Red Seal Plumber and "A" Class Gas Fitter. While his career is distinguished, his personal pride rests in his coaching achievements: leading his son's hockey team to a conference banner and coaching his daughter's lacrosse team to a gold medal for Team BC at the North American Indigenous Games.