The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc. (CIFFC) was opened on June 2, 1982 with a mandate to provide operational forest fire management services to Member Agencies that will, by agreement, gather, analyse and disseminate fire management information to ensure a cost effective sharing of resources; and actively promote, develop, refine, standardise and provide services to Member Agencies that will improve forest fire management in Canada.

CIFFC operates as a private non-profit corporation with two levels of management which direct the operation:

(1) The Board of Corporate Trustees is made up of Deputy-Ministers responsible for forestry representing each of the Provinces, Territories and Federal Government. This group sets policy, gives direction and approves annual budgets for the Fire Centre

(2) The Board of Directors is made up of the Directors responsible for forest fire management for each of the Provinces, Territories and a representative of the Federal government. This group prepares budgets and policies and controls the operation and expenditures of the Fire Centre.

(3) Fire Centre staff operate and implements programs approved by the Board of Directors and the Board of Corporate Trustees. In addition, the Fire Centre coordinates and directs working groups assembled to address specific tasks.

A Modern Funding Approach

Funding for the Centre is as unique as its management systems. The Federal government contributes one-third of the Centre's operating costs. The remaining two-thirds is funded by the provinces and territories on the basis of their inventoried productive forest land. British Columbia, for example, with large tracts of forest, pays 17% of the two-thirds while Prince Edward Island pays only 0.1%.

 Advanced Resource Sharing

Resources in Canada are shared on a formal basis under the Canadian Interagency Mutual Aid Resources Sharing (MARS) Agreement which outlines three categories of resources: equipment, personnel and aircraft.

In addition to this intra-Canadian co-operative agreement, a Diplomatic Note signed with the United States authorises the sharing of resources for fire suppression across the international boundary. The Canada/United States Reciprocal Forest Fire Fighting Arrangement (CANUS) combined with several other exemptions allows for quick movement of resources through Customs and Immigration -- mandatory during a severe fire season.

Both of these documents lay out the terms under which resources can be legally shared, how resources will be made available, what costs will be involved and the conditions for their return.

In addition to co-operating with the United States, requests for assistance from other countries are negotiated on an as-and-when basis. CIFFC also maintains membership with international organizations such as the North American Forestry Commission.

 The Hot, Dry Season

During the fire season, CIFFC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An integral part of its operation is the "situation report" which provides information and intelligence on the fire situation to all member agencies. CIFFC also identifies available resources moving to and from participating agencies including aircraft, personnel, equipment and speciality items such as communication networks and infrared line scanners.

The Centre maintains daily contact with the National Interagency Fire Centre (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho and through the Canada/United States Reciprocal Forest Fire Fighting Arangement exchanges resources as needed across the international boundary.

Canadian Protection, International Attention

CIFFC has attracted international attention and delegations from various developing nations regularly visit the Centre to review its operations. Through Canada's Department of External Affairs, CIFFC has coordinated Canadian response to international requests for assistance. Such requests for international assistance will continue and the Fire Centre, along with member agencies and Canadian corporations will be organized to address these requests.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre will continue to be front and centre in forest fire management by helping our neighbours around the world.

The Future

The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers originally directed CIFFC to promote and improve fire management on a national level. The Centre continues to meet this challenge through its agreements and the development of exchange standards through various Working Groups.

Internationally, CIFFC will continue to promote Canadian fire management technology in the global market place.

These programs, in concert with existing fire management programs, will all contribute to a better organization and a more efficient fire management system for Canada.

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