On the hook if firefighting regulations not followed

BY KIRK STARRATT

THE ADVERTISER

NovaNewsNow.com



There are Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations relating to volunteer firefighting, and elected municipal officials and department executives could be held legally responsible if a tragedy occurs and standards were not met.

That was the opinion of Tom Powell, emergency services consultant, and Cyril Hare, fire and life safety consultant, who presented their final report on the structure and delivery of firefighting services in Kings County at the Monday, Jan. 22, Kings Partnership Steering Committee (KPSC) meeting in Kentville.

Powell said our local departments hold regular training nights for volunteers, but little practical training occurs because there isn’t a local training facility. The consultants are recommending that a training facility be built somewhere in the Valley.

He said departments are training to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards but they aren’t sure if the standards are being met. More study would be required.

Hare said there are mandatory requirements under OH&S for personnel and specific OH&S guidelines for firefighters from the Fire Marshal’s Office. He said this is a substantial document and there are lots of safety requirements.

“If someone gets hurt, the standard is there,” he said, pointing out that the gaps need to be filled and it has to be the same for all departments to the benefit of all volunteers.

Kings County Coun. Chris Parker said they’re employing the fire departments, and if firefighters aren’t meeting safety requirements, councillors could go to jail in the case of a tragedy. Powell said that is correct.

“As an elected official, you should absolutely be concerned,” Powell said, pointing out that he told the KPSC fire task force from day one if you may not like the answer, don’t ask the question. The Criminal Code says councillors can go to jail if the proper equipment, guidelines and training aren’t provided. Hare pointed out that fire chiefs and other department officials have responsibility, as well.

Warden Fred Whalen said even if there were councillors on the proposed fire authority, they might not have the expertise to know whether or not OH&S requirements are being met.

Powell responded that’s why the consultants are recommending hiring a fire coordinator.

Drawing attention to the recommendation for three full-time fire inspectors, Whalen said he understands that the Fire Marshal provides a list every year of what needs to be inspected and the requirements are being met.

However, Hare said their information indicates that there are lists of buildings needing fire emergency plans and other requirements of the provincial fire code not being met. Whalen said that’s news to him.

Kingston Fire Chief Watson Armstrong said safety comes at a cost and there’s a big price tag on OH&S training, let alone NFPA training.

Powell noted better coordination is needed, but the consultants aren’t suggesting putting the tax rate up to achieve it.