N.S. establishes committee to create firefighter training plan

Firefighters generic.

A group of experienced firefighters and emergency management professionals has been selected by the Nova Scotia government to create a new firefighter training program.

The province announced Monday the establishment of the Nova Scotia Training Advisory Committee. The committee has 32 members from across Nova Scotia who will put together an interim basic firefighting training plan.

The committee was created following the value-for-money audit that found safety and governance issues at the Nova Scotia Firefighters Training School earlier this summer.

The audit, which was commissioned in June, stemmed from the preventable death of Skyler Blackie during a training exercise in 2019.

“The safety of our firefighters and the quality of their training are paramount,” said Kim Masland, minister of Emergency Management. “The establishment of the committee marks a decisive step toward rebuilding trust, enforcing rigorous safety protocols and enhancing governance to meet and exceed national standards.”

The committee will be led by co-chairs Mark Bettens, chief director of the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service, and Paul Maynard, director of client services with the Department of Emergency Management.

The interim regional plan for firefighter training will cover:

• firefighter safety and survival
• personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
• fire behaviour and suppression techniques
• ladders and ventilation
• forcible entry and search techniques
• water supply and fire streams
• incident command
• live fire training
• vehicle extrication
• communications
• emergency vehicle operator
• hazardous materials awareness and how to deal with them

The committee will also work with Mi’kmaw community fire chiefs in the province to ensure the interim and long-term firefighter training plans meet their organizational needs.

“The formation of the Nova Scotia Fire Training Advisory Committee and the development of an interim training plan is a vital step forward. This will ensure that our fire service personnel receive consistent, effective training that supports their safety and preparedness,” said Greg Jones, president of Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.

All courses will adhere to applicable safety standards and maintain firefighter safety and readiness through:

• consistent access to core basic training
• support for municipal fire departments by delivering safe entry-level firefighter education
• standardizing delivery of basic training across the province during the interim period
• building a collaborative network of local trainers and fire service leaders to support this initiative
• work with municipalities to ensure the ongoing delivery of high-quality training on a regional basis.

The province previously said there has been no substantive change in the Nova Scotia Firefighters School board structure or governance in more than 20 years.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page