2008:04PU THE NEED FOR A NATIONAL FIRE ADVISOR
Whereas 1 in 1984 the National Council of Women of Canada urged the Government of Canada to undertake a program to educate the public about the hazards involved in the use of polyurethane and other synthetic materials when exposed to fire; and
Whereas 2 Canada, unlike most developed countries, currently has no mechanism for compiling and distributing information on training, prevention or education regarding fires or for coordinating provincial/territorial fire-prevention strategies or for responding to domestic or international emergencies; and
Whereas 3 the interests and expertise of the Canadian fire services have no official input regarding the National Fire Code or the National Building Code; and
Whereas 4 the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) adopted in 2004 a resolution supporting the creation of the Office of National Fire Advisor (ONFA) to address these vital issues, and on several occasions has presented their policy on the creation of the ONFA to Parliamentary committees and to individual Members of Parliament; and
Whereas 5 the creation of the ONFA is seen by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as being the single most important action the Federal Government could take to improve the protection of Canadians; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy support for the creation of the Office of National Fire Advisor; and be it further
Resolved 2 that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to establish the Office of National Fire Advisor as part of Public Safety Canada and to make it responsible for:
a. recommending national standards for fire training and education, and for fire prevention;
b. educating the public about the hazards involved in the use of polyurethane and other synthetic materials when exposed to fire;
c. coordinating provincial and territorial fire prevention activities;
d. developing strategies at a national level for Fire Prevention in Canada;
e. coordinating a national fire service response to both domestic and international emergencies;
f. serving as the national link for provincial and territorial Fire Marshals and Commissioners;
g. ensuring that fire-related information and statistics are compiled and distributed in a timely and standardized manner; and
h. ensuring that the interests and expertise of the Canadian Fire Services are represented on the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and in the National Building Code and National Fire Code.