Environmental public health services in First Nations communities
Working together with First Nations communities, Environmental Public Health Services help to identify and prevent public health risks.
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About Environmental Public Health Services
The Environmental Public Health Services team works with First Nations communities to identify and prevent environmental public health risks. These risks could negatively impact people's health in both the natural and built environment.
Most of these services are provided by Environmental Public Health Officers (EPHOs). EPHOs are certified public health inspectors.
Accessing public health services South of 60°
For those south of the 60° parallel, EPHOs are employed by Indigenous Services Canada or by First Nations, tribal councils and other organizations, such as the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in British Columbia.
To access environmental public health services or if you have any concerns, please contact the health director or Chief and Council in your community.
Accessing public health services North of 60°
North of the 60° parallel, environmental public health services are delivered by the territorial governments. To learn more about environmental public health services and how to access them contact your territorial government.
What environmental public health officers do
EPHOs working in First Nations communities South of 60° parallel are responsible for assessing:
- drinking water
- healthy housing
- public buildings and community facilities inspections
- food safety
- wastewater
- solid waste
- environmental communicable disease control
- emergency preparedness and response
EPHOs collaborate with:
- local leadership
- First Nations organizations and agencies
- public health workers
- health authorities
- government departments
EPHOs identify public health risks by:
- conducting public health assessments, including:
- inspections and monitoring
- reviewing plans and investigations
- providing advice and guidance to First Nations
- delivering public education and awareness sessions, including training.
The services delivered by a community's EPHO are determined by community work plans. The work plans identify both routine and priority activities requested by local leadership. Inspections, investigations and other activities can also be conducted if a concern is identified after a work plan has been developed.
Learn more about becoming an EPHO: