THUNDER BAY – The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has announced Project Firefly training from February 4 – 7, 2013 at the Valhalla Inn.  Project Firefly will initiate the TAPP-C program (The Arson Prevention Program for Children) for youth between 7 and 12 years of age.  The program is designed for police and other front-line community-based agencies to work together collaboratively to address the issues of fire safety and arson prevention. 

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Arson Prevention Program

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 75% of children and adolescents who complete the TAPP-C program have no further fire involvement. 

The training will begin at 9:00 a.m. with opening remarks by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police and the Thunder Bay Fire Rescue to a training group comprised of police officers, mental health workers, teachers, volunteer firefighters, and youth workers. 

The announcement of the receipt of funding for Project Firefly came on November 8, 2012, the Province of Ontario’s Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant announced that $100,000.00 will be funded towards Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service’s “Project Firefly.”  

NAPS has experienced an overall increase in arson investigations since 2005 which totaled 58 at that time.  In 2006 arson investigations totaled 105.  2007 held 108 arson investigations. 2008 and 2009 reflected 131 and 133.  In 2010 and 2011, the numbers were 202 and 140.  Arson investigations for 2012 is currently at 65 and the numbers are predicted to keep pace with the previous year’s statistics. 

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service serves 34 communities in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation territory which encompasses nearly two-thirds of the Province of Ontario. 

• NAPS is the largest First Nations police service in Canada
• NAPS is the 2nd largest First Nations police service in North America.
• NAPS employs over 134 uniform officers and 30 civilians.
• NAPS polices 35 communities across the NAN territory which encompasses nearly 2/3 of the Province of Ontario. Thunder Bay to Hudson’s Bay; Manitoba to Quebec.
• NAPS is the 2nd only police service in Ontario to have its own operational plane. It flew 876 hours in 2006.
• NAPS’ officers are sworn Constables with authority throughout the Province of Ontario.