Wildland fire parties unveil agreement
The territorial government (YG) and Yukon’s First Nations Wildfire are teaming up under the terms of a renewed three-year term.
The territorial government (YG) and Yukon’s First Nations Wildfire are teaming up under the terms of a renewed three-year term.
In a news release issued last Thursday afternoon, Yukon Wildland Fire Management and Yukon First Nations Wildfire announced they have agreed on a new, three-year Unit Crew Services Agreement.
“Yukon First Nations have been integral to wildfire management in the Yukon for many years, and our government is pleased to continue to support and work with Yukon First Nations Wildfire through this new agreement,” said Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn.
“This agreement will contribute to youth development, reinforce the positive working relationship between the Yukon government and Yukon First Nations Wildfire and set the foundation for our work together over the next several years.”
Frederick Koe, the chair of the Yukon First Nations Wildfire Limited Partnership, added, “We are pleased to enter into this new and important agreement that will support Yukon youth and benefit all Yukoners by enhancing wildfire resilience across the territory.
“This unit crew will be thoroughly trained to provide additional response resources for the Yukon, and the rest of Canada, to draw on during upcoming wildfire seasons.
“While not activated for fires, the crew will support fuel mitigation and fire preparedness activities, by engaging in fuel-break construction and FireSmart, as well as aid with any other hazard that may threaten Yukoners, such as flooding.”
Koe added the funding gives the organization the stability it needs to continue operations and training.
Under the agreement, funds provided by the territorial government will support Yukon First Nations Wildfire to employ 20 additional youth each year to assist with wildland fire response operations, and conduct forest fuel reduction and prevention and mitigation activities that will create wildfire-resilient Yukon communities.
Comments (5)
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Nathan Living on Mar 4, 2022 at 6:33 pm
Yes Curious Yukoner
How much is this costing, transparency is a good thing when funding is discussed.
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Diversity Matters! on Mar 2, 2022 at 7:41 pm
The Caucasian kids will be trained in flood management for 3 years and they will switch training initiatives… Because equity demands it and diversity requires it. Wait a minute… What about Black, Brown, and Asian peoples? What training will they get?
Will there be gender diversity too?
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Max Mack on Mar 2, 2022 at 9:50 am
This is a very generous gift to the "Yukon First Nations Wildfire Limited Partnership".
Funding to employ 20 "youth" over a 3 year contract term.
20 employees at $25 per hour hired for 6 months is almost 1 million dollars per year. This means a minimum of $3 million in salary costs alone over the 3 years. This does not factor in overtime, benefits, additional equipment and supplies, capital costs, etc.
How do we determine value for service in this arrangement? Or, is this just a gift?
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K. A Watson on Mar 1, 2022 at 1:06 pm
I'm going to hazard a guess that protecting the forests is one of the most important agreements to have with anyone willing to take it on when you live in a territory almost completely covered in trees. Thank You Yukon and First nations for working together to save our beautiful territory and keeping the air we breath full of oxygen.
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Curious Yukoner on Feb 28, 2022 at 3:40 pm
So if the parties are unveiling the agreement why don't they tell us how much it is costing?
I know the previous agreement was very lucrative for the FN Wildland Fire......so I expect this one is even more costly.