Fire can ravage a community in short order – especially if it’s in a remote area with few resources. When Winnipeg-based Steven Santelli, Indigenous Relations Manager, saw a pressing need in the communities he worked with, he was determined to make a difference.

In his previous role as Dangerous Goods Manager, Steven had built valuable relationships with many organizations including Firefighters Without Borders (FWB) Canada. Knowing they donated used safety equipment across Canada to communities in need, he reached out to them 18 months ago when he transferred over to CN’s Indigenous Relations team and offered to help deliver much-needed gear to Indigenous communities.

“They’d had a hard time distributing equipment to actually get it to those communities but with our distribution network coverage, resources and contacts, and the fact that we’re always on the road meeting with communities, we can help alleviate the logistical hurdles they might have as a volunteer organization by helping distribute the donations on their behalf.”

Steven also reached out to fire departments across the country to source donated boots, bunker gear and other equipment, and stations have been eager to help give the gear a new, vital life rather than having it end up in a landfill. “In our first few weeks, we’ve already filled one 40-foot intermodal container full of PPE, boots, hardhats, nozzle hoses and more, that went from Ontario to Northern Saskatchewan,” reports Steven.

This was a bad year for wildfires in the area, notes Brie Ferguson, who oversees Indigenous Relations in Kamloops for BC South.

“The Shetland Creek wildfire threatened our community for the majority of the summer,” she recalls. “Steve Sherwood, the brand-new fire chief for Cooks Ferry, told me they had very limited resources as they worked around the clock, so we helped them out with water, food and PPE, and I asked how we can help further.”

Learning how scarce firefighting equipment was for rural stations, Brie connected with Steven to find out what could be accessed through Firefighters Without Borders.

“I went down to Vancouver twice to deliver equipment which included rescue and hazmat gear, and ropes. There was even a hazmat shower. The community is very excited. They were going to raise money to buy all this stuff, and knew they wouldn’t have anything to start off the 2025 wildfire season, so it's really jumpstarted their preparedness for next year.”

Next up, Brie and Steven are working to acquire a donated water pump that has already been sourced for them. “It would’ve taken 12 to 18 months to build and deliver a new one, so this is huge,” says Brie.

Steven adds that this equipment is a symbol of hope and safety so volunteer firefighters can protect their communities. “Most of my professional career has been engaged in the first responder field, and I know how expensive gear is to purchase and maintain,” he explains.

Steven Santelli