Regulation - Minister
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services: Public consultation on proposed regulations for mandatory training and certification and conducting community risk assessments.
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 379/18; O. Reg. 378/18
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
Summary of Decision:
O. Reg. 379/18 (Firefighter Certification) was approved on May 8, 2018. On October 5, 2018 2018, Regulation 379/18 (Firefighter Certification) was revoked and will not come into effect beginning July 1, 2019.
O. Reg. 378/18 (Community Risk Assessments) was also approved on May 8, 2018 and will come into effect July 1, 2019.
O. Reg. 378/18 (Community Risk Assessments) was also approved on May 8, 2018 and will come into effect July 1, 2019.
Further Information:
Firefighter Certification
(Download Adobe Reader)
Community Risk Assessments
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposal Number:
18-CSCS002
Posting Date:
January 25, 2018
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) is seeking public input on proposed regulations under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 related to new requirements for:
1. Mandatory training and certification for firefighters, and
2. Mandatory risk assessments to inform the delivery of fire protection services.
1. Mandatory Certification
MCSCS is proposing to establish mandatory certification requirements set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for all new firefighters employed or appointed to a fire department for the following positions:
• Suppression firefighters,
• Pump operators,
• Technical rescuers,
• Fire officers, and
• Fire educators.
These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2019 with the exception of technical rescuers which would come into force January 1, 2020. An additional year for technical rescuers to achieve certification is being proposed to allow for sufficient time to develop training and certification examination materials.
In addition, MCSCS is proposing that mandatory certification requirements also set out by the NFPA apply to existing firefighters currently employed or appointed in fire departments across Ontario, including:
• Fire inspectors,
• Fire investigators,
• Fire instructors,
• Hazardous materials personnel, and
• Fire dispatchers.
It is proposed that these mandatory certification requirements apply to existing firefighters given these roles are exposed to increased risk, including risk to the individuals performing these roles. These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2020 to give fire departments additional time to train and certify their staff.
2. Mandatory Community Risk Assessments
MCSCS is proposing to require that municipalities conduct a standard risk assessment every five years focusing on key profiles in their communities (e.g., demographics, geography, past fire loss and event history, critical infrastructure, building stock profile within the community, etc.).
Municipalities would be responsible for reviewing their risk assessment annually to ensure that any significant changes in the mandatory profiles are identified. If there are any significant changes (e.g., addition of retirement homes or care facilities) the municipality will be responsible for updating their assessment. This information will be used to inform decisions about fire protection services in their community.
This requirement is proposed to come into force January 1, 2019.
These two new proposed regulations are based on expert advice MCSCS received from a Fire Safety Technical Table (the Table). The Table was established in January 2017 to help develop recommendations to the Minister of Community Services and Correctional Services regarding modernization of fire service delivery in Ontario. The Table included representatives from municipalities, firefighter associations and fire departments, including composite and volunteer fire departments.
For additional details on both of these proposals, please see the below attachments.
MCSCS welcomes your comments and feedback.
1. Mandatory training and certification for firefighters, and
2. Mandatory risk assessments to inform the delivery of fire protection services.
1. Mandatory Certification
MCSCS is proposing to establish mandatory certification requirements set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for all new firefighters employed or appointed to a fire department for the following positions:
• Suppression firefighters,
• Pump operators,
• Technical rescuers,
• Fire officers, and
• Fire educators.
These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2019 with the exception of technical rescuers which would come into force January 1, 2020. An additional year for technical rescuers to achieve certification is being proposed to allow for sufficient time to develop training and certification examination materials.
In addition, MCSCS is proposing that mandatory certification requirements also set out by the NFPA apply to existing firefighters currently employed or appointed in fire departments across Ontario, including:
• Fire inspectors,
• Fire investigators,
• Fire instructors,
• Hazardous materials personnel, and
• Fire dispatchers.
It is proposed that these mandatory certification requirements apply to existing firefighters given these roles are exposed to increased risk, including risk to the individuals performing these roles. These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2020 to give fire departments additional time to train and certify their staff.
2. Mandatory Community Risk Assessments
MCSCS is proposing to require that municipalities conduct a standard risk assessment every five years focusing on key profiles in their communities (e.g., demographics, geography, past fire loss and event history, critical infrastructure, building stock profile within the community, etc.).
Municipalities would be responsible for reviewing their risk assessment annually to ensure that any significant changes in the mandatory profiles are identified. If there are any significant changes (e.g., addition of retirement homes or care facilities) the municipality will be responsible for updating their assessment. This information will be used to inform decisions about fire protection services in their community.
This requirement is proposed to come into force January 1, 2019.
These two new proposed regulations are based on expert advice MCSCS received from a Fire Safety Technical Table (the Table). The Table was established in January 2017 to help develop recommendations to the Minister of Community Services and Correctional Services regarding modernization of fire service delivery in Ontario. The Table included representatives from municipalities, firefighter associations and fire departments, including composite and volunteer fire departments.
For additional details on both of these proposals, please see the below attachments.
MCSCS welcomes your comments and feedback.
Contact Address:
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Strategic Policy, Research and Innovation Division
25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6
Strategic Policy, Research and Innovation Division
25 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6
Effective Date:
July 1, 2019
Decision:
Approved