About Us
FNESS evolved from the Society of Native Indian Fire Fighters of BC (SNIFF), which was established in 1986. SNIFF's initial objectives were to help reduce the number of fire-related deaths on First Nation reserves, but changed its emphasis to incorporate a greater spectrum of emergency services. In 1994, SNIFF changed its name to First Nations' Emergency Services Society of BC to reflect its growing diversity of services provided.
Today our organization continues to gain recognition and trust within First Nations communities and within the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and other organizations. This is reflected in both the growing demand of service requests from First Nations communities and in the devolvement of more government-sponsored programs to FNESS.
First Nations' Emergency Services Society believes in treating our membership, staff, clients, consultants and external organizations with integrity, respect, fairness and honesty. Through leadership and wisdom, FNESS believes in recognizing the cultural diversity of all those involved. Working as a team to deliver programs, we are committed to being an open, credible, sincere and trustworthy organization.
The FNESS logo was designed in 1986 by artist Tom Stewart of Kitimat, BC at the age of 15. The logo represents the vision of a firefighter. The iris of the eye portrays the legendary fire moon spewing water onto the eye of the fire. The circle represents First Nations.
Constitution & By-laws
The FNESS Constitution and Bylaws are available by clicking on the links below.
• FNESS Constitution & By-laws 2012.pdf
*Acrobat Reader is required to view these pdf files, click here for free download if needed.
Annual Report
Current Annual Report is available by clicking on the link below.
• 2011-2012 Annual Report
• 2011-2012 Audited Financial Statements
Prior year reports are available on request.
FNESS Staff
Click here for FNESS Staff information.
Board of Directors
Our Society is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of First Nations individuals who live in communities throughout the province of British Columbia and who are elected by our Society's members. The core function of our Board is to ensure that our Society upholds its adopted Mission Statement in accordance with its adopted Constitution and By-Laws, and to ensure the financial viability of the Society.
