For First Nations, the environment is vital in determining health and
well-being. Our environment includes
the land, air, water, food, housing and other resources that need to be cared
for and considered to sustain healthy children, families and
For First Nations, the environment is vital in determining health and
well-being. Our environment includes
the land, air, water, food, housing and other resources that need to be cared
for and considered to sustain healthy children, families and communities.
The Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), working in Environmental Public Health Services, have transferred from Health Canada to FNHA. This area of Health Canada was generally well received prior to the transfer, as many of the staff had long working relationships with First Nations leadership and communities. The Environmental Health Program provides services to all First Nations across BC.
Some of the guiding principles of the Environmental Health Services are to:
• Build on relationships with First Nations • Continue to work with individual Nations based on their needs and concerns• Collaborate with public health workers, local and provincial health authorities, and other municipal, provincial and federal departments and agencies when delivering programs in First Nations communities• Strive for on-reserve services comparable to those available off-reserve
• Build on relationships with First Nations
• Continue to work with individual Nations based on their needs and concerns
• Collaborate with public health workers, local and provincial health authorities, and other municipal, provincial and federal departments and agencies when delivering programs in First Nations communities
• Strive for on-reserve services comparable to those available off-reserve
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) provide advice, education, inspections and recommendations to First Nations and their leadership to help them manage public health risks associated with the environment. They collect data and observations to determine whether a public health risk exists, and determine what steps can be taken to improve conditions. Chief and Council are responsible for addressing the recommendations provided.
All EHOs working in First Nations communities are certified by Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, a minimum requirement in British Columbia.
Interested in becoming an Environmental Health Officer? Contact your local Environmental Health Officer if you would like more information about the work. Certain schools across Canada offer special training. See CIPHI.ca for a list of training institutions. http://www.ciphi.ca/careers/education/
FNHA Environmental Public Health Services works to identify and prevent environmental public health risks in First Nations communities that could impact the health of community members. Where public health risks are identified, recommendations are provided to reduce these risks.
Through community training, education and awareness, community capacity is increased to achieve a healthy and safe environment. The FNHA would like to share our Environmental Public Health Services compendium for First Nations communities.
Services provided are:
DRINKING WATER RESOURCES:
Water Advisory Toolkit (hard copies can also be requested from your EHO): https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/reports-publications/health-promotion/water-advisory-tool-kit-first-nations-health-canada.html
Individual Well Toolkit (hard copies can also be requested from your EHO): http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/pubs/promotion/_environ/individ-wells-puits/index-eng.php
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