Overview
The NWT Wildland Urban Interface Mutual Aid Program is a cooperative initiative between the Government of Northwest Territories and participating community fire departments as represented by the Northwest Territories Fire Chiefs Association (NWTFCA).
It is built on a common mission:
Supporting better integrated fire services and response across the NWT to protect the people we serve, the places they live, the critical infrastructure they rely on, and their social, cultural, and economic well-being.
Governance
- The program was developed and is implemented jointly by the Wildland Urban Interface Coordinating Group, represented by the GNWT’s Environment and Climate Change – Forest Management Division and Municipal and Community Affairs – Office of the Fire Marshal and representatives from the NWT Fire Chiefs Association
The WUI coordinating group will continue to review the program annually with input from internal task teams and affected communities, while integrating lessons learned from after action reviews and evolving industry best practices.
NWT Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Mutual Aid Guidelines
The Northwest Territories Wildland Urban Interface Mutual Aid Guidelines provide response procedures for municipal fire departments, private contractors and Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) employees who may be deployed to an interface event.
They also provide clear lines of authority and guidance for integrating municipal resources to those who coordinate territorial, regional, or local fire operations.
- View the guidelines online: NWT Wildland Urban Interface Mutual Aid Guidelines
They establish minimum standards and procedures related to the following:
- WUI personnel positions
- WUI apparatus
- Training and qualification standards
- Deployment procedures
- Reimbursement guidelines and processes
- Operational and financial responsibilities
- Program maintenance and revision
Eligibility
Communities which currently operate local departments which meet or exceed NFPA standards as assessed by the Office of the Fire Marshal are eligible for deployment to WUI events outside of their own communities provided personnel are qualified and apparatus are in good repair.
Local resources for departments which do not meet or exceed NFPA guidelines are not eligible to deploy outside their own community under these guidelines.
They are eligible for reimbursement under these guidelines while participating in a WUI response in their own community in a coordinated response with the GNWT.
Training
Training follows a consistent path as identified in the NWT Wildland Urban Interface Mutual Aid Guidelines. Delivery of training is managed by local fire departments.
Curriculum is managed centrally, and all qualifications must be submitted to the Office of the Fire Marshal for tracking.
Resources
Contact
For questions about the WUI program in the NWT and matters related to reimbursement or administration:
- Email: WUI_FMD@gov.nt.ca