First batch of first responders graduate from new Ontario First Nation fire program

A tribal council that represents five First Nations in northwestern Ontario says the first batch of local emergency medical responders has graduated from a new training program and will serve Pikangikum First Nation.

The Independent First Nations Alliance says it created its own training program for emergency responders to help its communities respond to devastating fires.

Nine people died in a 2016 house fire in Pikangikum and three people died in a house fire in the community in February this year.

In both cases, Pikangikum First Nation has said it did not have trained first responders or working fire equipment to fight the fires.

Pikangikum Chief Shirley Keeper says the First Nation hopes the safer community that will result from having the local first responders will help honour the memories of those who died.

The first batch of graduates were honoured in Pikangikum First Nation last week.