New firefighter laws come into effect in 2026
MINDEMOYA—Mandatory fire certification, introduced in 2022, will need to be in place for all fire departments by 2026, and although the Ontario Fire Marshal’s (OFM) Office will assist fire departments and municipalities to reach these certification levels, they will not be laying down the law in terms of enforcement. However, the Ministry of Labour may use certification as a means to determine whether fire departments are providing adequate training and due diligence with regard to firefighter safety in the case of a workplace accident.
“The bad guy will be the Ministry of Labour if a firefighter is injured at a fire scene or in training and the standards have not been attained,” said Simon Ethier, program specialist, field and advisory services OFM told members of the Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) at a meeting last week. “Our office tries to negate liability on fire departments, fire chiefs and municipalities by being here to help.”
“Our objective here tonight is to generate conversation and make a sales pitch to those of you who need help,” said Mr. Ethier, who attended the meeting along with Ashley Barbeau, fire protection field advisor and advisory services with OFM. He raised three points at the meeting. “Number one, the OFM has a training program for fire protection services (for council) which is available virtually as well. I will make that available. If all Island municipal councils would consider gathering for two or three hours we could deliver a program which lays out the responsibilities of council and fire chiefs. Secondly, we are here to mention mandatory certification and to ask if anyone knows what we are talking about. A lot of people are nervous about training and testing. A training program requires proper documentation and testing for fire training and certification. You come for training, document it on the proper forms, write the test and, if successful, you get certified. This is all about keeping firefighters safe at fire scenes.”
Mr. Ethier pointed out, “one of the typical things that happens is that there is a disconnect between a municipal fire department and municipal councils. I don’t know if you have heard a lot from fire chiefs. How are all doing to get mandatory certification. If you have not started your fire departments can still get there. But we have to get the ball rolling.”
Mr. Ethier also noted the required Community Risk Assessment. Municipalities need to complete a risk assessment before July 1, 2024. There has been a funding announcement of $30 million ($10 million per year for three years) for the fire service to help reduce cancer risks.
“Having your firefighters certified and your risk assessments completed will be some of the things we are looking for when it comes to approving grant application,” said Mr. Ethier. “We want to see all of your fire departments working toward these three points. If you answer now, we are not doing the training or risk assessments, your application for any type for fire service won’t go through. And the risk assessment is a valuable tool to help you get to where you need to be.”
“I would also like to propose amalgamation of fire protection services on Manitoulin Island,” said Mr. Ethier. “This would mean one fire chief, one fire training officer and one fire prevention officer for the Manitoulin region. Saying I’m a volunteer and don’t have time for this doesn’t hold up. The rules are the same for firefighters in Gore Bay as in Toronto,” he said noting Ms. Barbeau is the OFM advisor for the area who is available if anyone has any questions going forward.
A regional training centre would be a great facility for fire training, it would allow us to facilitate courses in the area,” said Mr. Ethier. “I would strongly suggest that you take us up on the training that we provide.”
Mr. Ethier noted, “Once you do the essentials training there will be tons of questions, and comments like I didn’t know I was responsible for this. Then get a work plan to get to the point of firefighters being certified.” Gore Bay fire chief Mike Addison offered to host an Essentials of Municipal Firefighting course on the Island or we can provide a virtual option.”
“I’d rather go with the three-hour in person training session,” stated Steve Wood, a Tehkummah township councillor. “I’d be interested in taking the training course. When do you want to set it up?”
Richard Stephens, mayor of Central Manitoulin said, “I would like to get feedback from fire chiefs. Is the organization (mutual aid) with island fire chiefs where they interact with each other still in place?”
Mike Addison, Gore Bay Fire Chief told the group, “I wanted this presentation to be made (to MMA). “My concern is that mandatory firefighter certification is not being taken seriously. When you are talking health, safety, how to put firefighting gear on, how to go up a ladder properly, how to be safe at a fire scene, firefighters need to prove that they are trained to a level that is recognized by the OFM. And if someone is hurt it will be the Ministry of Labour that will be looking for the training records, and if this hasn’t taken place can charge councils and fire chiefs.”
“We have a very good mutual aid group on Manitoulin,” said Mr. Addison. “We all work together very well. If you bring another fire department in to help with a fire and they are not certified and someone gets hurt, it is the host department that is liable. I am going to be very cautious in requesting another fire department to help in a fire if they are not certified.”
Mr. Addison noted that a number of years ago fire departments could grandfather firefighters under NFPA, but since then a number of firefighters have retired or moved on. This year we had an opportunity to provide training documentation to qualify for legacy compliance. We had seven firefighters trained and certified last year. Now you need to have all the documentation in place and then bring in a lead evaluator to do the testing.”
“Everyone on the fire departments are capable of doing this,” stated Mr. Ethier.
MMA Chair and Billings township Mayor Bryan Barker inquired as to whether there is a set date for the mandatory fire certification and what happens if this is not met by fire departments.
“2026,” stated Mr. Ethier. “We are not coming to shut down fire departments. There has been a couple of opportunities to get to this point through things like grandfathering, legacy certification program and now testing—as long as you are working toward getting certified. If your fire department have to be certified at some point we I think it would be beneficial for all the fire departments to get together on this. Gore Bay for one has done rather well with their training and certification. Fire Chief Phil Goose and the Central Manitoulin department had to start from scratch and will get there. Be aware and talk to your fire departments to see what they need.”
“There is a cost for the firefighter training,” said Lee Hayden, reeve of Gordon/Barrie Island. “It is a cost to the municipality, no doubt.”
Mr. Addison said the Gore Bay fire department has 12 of 19 firefighters certified. The other seven haven’t been on the fire department long enough to be certified but are working toward it.
“We depend on our firefighters who are all volunteers,” said Mr. Hayden.
“Municipalities determine the level of service that needs to be provided,” said Mr. Ethier. “Most of the fire departments in the region provide exterior fire attack (interior, auto extraction is more cost).”
Mr. Addison said in 2022 there was a call with the OFM and the Solicitor General about mandatory certification that needs to be in place by 2026. If a firefighter is under two years, and not certified they have to be with a firefighter who is certified. “I believe in the certification; I want to be protected and keep my people safe.”
A question was raised by Mr. Wood as to whether there has been discussion among the fire chiefs on Manitoulin as to amalgamation of fire protection services.
“There is such an administration burden on fire chiefs,” said Mr. Ethier. “No different for a fire chief in Mississauga or a small rural fire department. I believe amalgamation of fire protection services would make for a very strong fire department. You would have one regional chief, one training officer and one fire prevention officer/fire inspector. You could amalgamate all firefighter services.”
Dwayne Elliott, Assiginack fire chief and Mr. Addison are the coordinators of the Manitoulin Mutual Aid group. “Dwayne and I feel there are opportunities out there for a shared fire chief. Not necessarily an amalgamation. Administration, chief, paperwork and shared training officer so we all have the same standard. We are volunteers and the amount of work required is becoming unmanageable,” said Mr. Addison.
