NFPA 1000 series in the Ontario Fire Service

Well, it has been some time since I was in the blogo-sphere.  Much has happened in my life as well as in the fire service.  I won't rehash the past as I am sure people have stayed abreast.  I received some information today about the adoption of NFPA standards by the Ontario Fire Service.

It seems that CFOs, CAOs, Chiefs, Deputies and Line Personnel may be overly worried about the impending adoption.  The Ontario Firefighter Curriculum was based on NFPA when it was created by the Professional Standards Setting Body (PSSB) in partnership with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Office of the Fire Marshall (OFM).  This started back in 1988.  This MCSCS page will tell you more.  With the input of all parties involved, the curriculum that was created for the Ontario Fire Service met or exceeded NFPA standards.  It has been suggested that at the time, Ontario's curriculum was the most comprehensive in North America.  As I said, NFPA standards were met or surpassed.

The upcoming adoption of the NFPA 1000 series standards for can be compared to the recent adoption of NFPA 1851 and 1971.  That simply replaced CAN/CGSB-155.1-2001 with minimal to effect to the Ontario Fire Service.  The changes effected testing procedures.  I believe that we will find that using the NFPA standard for qualification and certification will be a rather painless transition.  We are already using the job performance checklist.  In some cases, we may find that training and sign offs become easier to complete.

The continent wide application of a single standard, simply makes sense.  The NFPA standards are also recognized worldwide.  Perhaps this will enable more unpaid firefighters to pursue a rewarding career while being adequately compensated.  Perhaps this will allow greater retention in the volunteer ranks by increasing the perceived value of achieving accreditation.  Perhaps it is quite hard to accurately predict the future.

Regardless, I will be paying attention to this roll out.   

Winter Responses & Training

The winter seems to be reaching us here in Southwestern Ontario.  Brothers and sisters, please stay safe when responding to calls.  We can't help anyone when we become the victim. 

This is a challenging time for volunteer departments.  Now that the cold weather is here, no-one wants to practice outdoor evolutions.  This is a good time to catch up on some class room training.  That said, we get calls in all kinds of weather.  That's a good reason to get out in the snow and the wind and practice how we play. 

Stay toasty and safe.

Paul Nelson, Callander (Nipissing) Firefighter LODD

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Firefighter Paul Nelson of Callander.  Paul was a member of the Township of Nipissing Fire Department  Who knows what Paul was facing on the road last night. Whatever the reason, we lost another Ontario Volunteer Firefighter last night.

Stay cool and frosty out there, brothers.  Let's make Paul Nelson the last firefighter injured or killed in an MVC.

CBC Report

Firefighter Close Calls

Nipissing Township Media Release

North Bay Nugget Report

Great Explanation of Meaford Trial

This is a well written article that breaks down the trial in Meaford.  It explores the issues quite in depth.  I only wish I could write so eloquently as Laura King, editor of Firefighting in Canada.

Please read this article.  It explains so much.

http://www.firefightingincanada.com/content/view/10483/41/

Ongoing Meaford trial raises concerns over safety and funding

The ongoing trial in Meaford, Ontario is certain to have long lasting and far reaching implications for the Fire Service in Ontario.  Defence lawyer Norm Keith correctly states that "... it has created the potential for a “war” between the Labour Ministry and fire departments, who normally collaborate on drawing up safety guidelines.".  His statement about volunteer recruitment also affects retention.  “It will have the potential of a tremendously strong chilling effect on volunteers. They might just not want to be a volunteer anymore.”  Keith states.

Prosecution is not doubt a very drastic step when dealing with the Ministry of Labour.  Chief Molloy expresses concerns that, "incident commanders are worried about possible litigation, is that going to make them second-guess their rescue decision?".  From recent personal experience, I have heard those types of questions around a couple of fire halls.

These are concerns about the long range effects of the Meaford trial.  What we cannot lose sight of, are the short term effects.  The Fire Service has worked long and hard, from within it's own ranks, to improve the safety of it's members.   Remember?  Everybody goes home.  The charges; Accountability Setup, Establishing A Command Post, and Establishing RIT, speak to basic IC training.

What this whole incident illustrates is that the expectation of the Fire Service's competency is the same regardless of whether it is a full time or part time, paid or volunteer department.  We must continue to train and strive toward Section 21 guidelines.

While one aspect of the Meaford trial is to determine if guidelines can be treated as legally enforceable regulations, another is to send a wake up call about funding.

Chief Beebe, of Upsala, Ontario hits the nail on the head. "What [the trial] does highlight, is the need for the federal and provincial governments to help smaller municipalities and their departments achieve compliance with safety standards." Chief Bebee states.   Chief Bebee's blog

This is so true.  I hope Chief Molloy comes out of this without any convictions.  I also see a slight positive from this whole exercise.  That is notifying all levels of government that funding action is needed to ensure that firefighters can do their job in the most safe manner possible.

Owen Sound Times
December 15, 2011

Kitchener Record
December 18, 2011

One last thought.....

While I am concerned about the confrontational atmosphere being created between the Ministry of Labour and the Fire Service, I am more concerned with Office of the Fire Marshall's recent attitude change.

Is the Fire Service being abandoned by everyone?  Why are Provincial Government agencies no longer offering positive assistance in safety and legislative compliance?

There has been a shift to negative, punitive enforcement.  All the more reason to demand the resources that are necessary to meet the restrictions and regulations that the Fire Service is placed under.

We've been given the tools, now give us the resources to use them.

OFM and MOL

I have recently heard that the OFM is shifting to an enforcement focus.  This is to align itself with the MOL.  There go the bureaucratic friends of Ontario firefighters.  I am sure that this is a result of the Meaford investigation.  There is a saying that the Fire Service history is 100 years of staunch resistance to change.

Give us time to catch up.

This a quick synopsis that I wandered into on beebewitz's blog.  The info is from Firefighting in Canada.  Here is the article.

Volunteer Fire Department NFPA standards

My department is going through some struggles trying to catch up to current NFPA standards.  Even though the NFPA is a US body, it sets the standard for the continent.  The Office of the Fire Marshall is mandated to create a provincial Fire College.  The OFC is constantly growing and modifying just like departments are.  The instructors do a great job of preparing new recruits as well as continuing the education of senior firefighters.  Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Fire Departments have a great struggle ahead of them to train to the standards of the NFPA.  Sometimes, there aren't enough hours in the day!