Department of Community Services

FireSmart Project Funding Applications

Applications should include the following information. Please answer all questions as completely as possible. You may also include additional information about your proposal. Please check with your Zone Protection Manager who will be pleased to assist you with the application.

Ensure that you have attached the completed application Cover Sheet [21KB ].

1. Describe your project. Explain what you want to do, where and how you want to do it, and what the expected results of the project will be.

  • Be sure to include locations where work is being done.
  • Zone Protection Managers can provide you with detailed maps of the project site.
  • Be specific about the size (in hectares) of each proposed “treatment” unit within the scope of the proposal.
  • State who will be undertaking the work and how the project will be managed.
  • If the request is for a long term plan, please be specific in the identification of the area requiring the plan (e.g. Dawson, West Dawson, Sunnydale, Moosehide etc.).

    • 2. Describe in detail what methods will be used for fire abatement activity.

  • Include an assessment of the existing forest cover of the project area and why it is hazardous to the community.
  • Provide a description of the proposed techniques required to meet fuel reduction goals.
  • Note that all proposed fuel reduction techniques must meet the standards as set out by the FireSmart manual as recommended by the Zone Protection Manager.
  • Estimate the quantity of wood (cords or stems per hectare or cubic metres) that will be extracted from the project area.

    • 3. Specify when the project will start and finish. If any work has been done on this project to date, describe what has been done. Please indicate if prior projects require clean-up as noted by the Zone Protection Manager.

    Commitments and purchases should not be made until the project has been approved for funding.

    4. Outline the goals of your project and describe how achievement will be measured.

  • How will you know that the project is successful?
  • Does your community have a long-term fuel reduction plan, and how does this proposal fit within that context?

    • 5. State the community objective of your project in the short term and in the long term.

    6. Detail how many people the project will employ, including how many are from your community.

  • Estimate the number of hours each person will be employed.
  • State who will be providing supervision and describe their experience.

    • 7. If your project supports employment equity practices, explain how. (Employment equity means providing equal employment and training opportunities for all workers, including women, First Nations people and persons with disabilities.)

    8. If your project is taking place in a community with more than one equipment operator/business capable of undertaking the work, and any portion of the project is to be contracted out, describe how the tender process will be managed.

    9. Describe your experience in fire abatement activities. If your group has undertaken any similar projects in recent years, list them and attach brief project descriptions.

    10. Attach letters of support from other groups, organizations and local governance authorities in your community.

    11. Remember to consult with your local Zone Protection Manager, and include their suggestions, recommendations and comments in your project proposal.

    12. Describe how this project will benefit your organization, other people in the community and the community as a whole.

    13. Include a detailed budget for the project.

  • Break the budget down into individual items (e.g., materials, hourly wages and duration for each position, equipment rental, contracting fees, supplies, etc.). If you are proposing more than one phase, provide a budget break down for each phase. Include as well any expected time that is required for clean-up of a previous project.
  • Use the standard wage and rental rates on the schedule below.
  • Provide quotes and estimates where possible.
  • Indicate how much money you are getting from other sources, your contribution towards the project and your request from FireSmart.
  • There is no required equity contribution from the applicant; however, equity contribution is considered in determining priority projects. Your equity contribution can be money, other sources of funds, in-kind donations, volunteer hours or a combination of these. Be sure to estimate the number of volunteers and the volunteer hours that will go towards the project.
  • Note that FireSmart does not fund contingency fees, but does allow the applicant to budget for a 10% administration fee.

    • 14. Ensure that the declaration on the Cover Sheet has been signed and dated.


    Standard Wage and Rental Rates

    Use the following standard rates when completing your budget:

  • Supervisor wages (one supervisor only): $24.00 per hour
  • Labourer wages: $19.21 per hour
  • Benefits (on top of wage costs): 14%
  • Equipment (wood chippers, chain saws etc) & vehicle rentals must be relevant and justified in the proposal. Estimate costs based on supplier quotes.
  • Chainsaw maximum allowance: $25.00 per day and includes all costs such as fuel, oil and maintenance.