Nova Scotia introduces new act aimed at supporting fire services

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Nova Scotia introduced an act Monday aimed at strengthening fire services in the province.

Emergency Management Minister Kim Masland will provide oversight to the following under the new Support for Fire Protection Services Act:

• municipal fire services
• provincewide standards for fire services
• firefighter training and certification
• personal protective equipment
• transition support for fire services that want to transition to a municipal model
• resources for fire protection service planning, delivery and reporting

The province says fire departments and fire service commissions not currently part of a municipal fire service will remain as is.

“We are committed to listening to the fire services sector, and this legislation is a direct result of what we’ve heard over the past year,” Masland said in a news release.

“This is the next step in addressing what we heard from the value-for-money audit of the Nova Scotia Firefighters School, the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia’s governance review, and in-person meetings with over 700 fire chiefs, deputy chiefs, fire service co-ordinators and municipal leaders.”

The president of the Fire Service Association says fire and emergency services in the province have needed to be modernized for “more than 50 years.”

“This announcement represents meaningful progress toward strengthening public safety and ensuring the fire service is equipped to meet the evolving needs of communities across the province,” said Greg Jones.

An Office of the Fire Commissioner will also be created under the act. Nova Scotia says it is the first step in providing provincial oversight, coordination and support to municipalities and fire service providers.

All municipalities, whether they oversee fire services or not, will be required to:

• conduct a fire protection service review, to ensure municipalities and fire departments make evidence-based decisions about the services they provide to their community
• ensure that local firefighter competencies, training and personal protective equipment meet the service standard required by the fire protection service review
• participate in a common records management system

The province adds the new act will help ensure “consistent training standards across the province and support procurement to get best pricing for purchasing vehicles, equipment and insurance, helping fire departments reduce costs.”

There are currently 363 fire service organizations in Nova Scotia.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page