You're using an outdated browser. This website will not display correctly and some features will not work.
Learn more about the browsers we support for a faster and safer online experience.

# result(s)

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

ONTARIO REGULATION 379/18

FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION

Historical version for the period May 8, 2018 to October 4, 2018.

Note: THIS REGULATION IS NOT YET IN FORCE. It comes into force on July 1, 2019.

Last amendment: 379/18.

Legislative History: 379/18.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

CONTENTS

1.

Definition

2.

Mandatory certification

3.

Intern firefighters

4.

Transition

Table 1

Mandatory certification

 

Definition

1. In this Regulation,

“NFPA” means the National Fire Protection Association.

Mandatory certification

2. (1) Every municipality, and every fire department in a territory without municipal organization, must ensure that its firefighters perform a fire protection service set out in Table 1 only if,

(a) the firefighter performing the fire protection service is certified to the corresponding certification standard set out in that Table; or

(b) this Regulation provides that the certification standard referred to in clause (a) does not apply with respect to the firefighter.

(2) The certification must be provided by the Fire Marshal.

Intern firefighters

3. (1) A certification standard does not apply with respect to a firefighter who,

(a) is enrolled in an internship program approved by the Fire Marshal; and

(b) is operating under the supervision of a firefighter certified to that standard; and

(c) has,

(i) been a firefighter for no more than 24 months, or

(ii) been in the internship program for no more than six months, if the internship program is to train to be a fire instructor or to train to be a fire inspector.

(2) If a firefighter did their best to fulfil the requirements of the internship program but did not fulfil the requirements, the Fire Marshal must grant them an extension of a further,

(a) 12 months; or

(b) 6 months, if the internship program is to train to be a fire instructor or to train to be a fire inspector.

Transition

4. (1) A certification standard set out in item 1, 2, 3, or 4 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter who,

(a) became a firefighter before July 1, 2019; and

(b) performed the fire protection service that the standard corresponds to before July 1, 2019.

Note: Subsection 4 (2) comes into force on January 1, 2021.

(2) The certification standard set out in item 5.1 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter who,

(a) became a firefighter before January 1, 2021; and

(b) performed the fire protection service that the standard corresponds to before January 1, 2021.

(3) A certification standard set out in item 1, 2 or 3 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter that both of the following criteria apply to:

Note: On January 1, 2020, subsection 4 (3) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “item 1, 2 or 3” in the portion before paragraph 1 and substituting “item 1, 1.3, 2, 3, 5 or 6”. (See: O. Reg. 379/18, s. 5 (1))

1. The firefighter became a firefighter before July 1, 2019.

2. The firefighter’s fire chief was given permission by the Fire Marshal to issue the firefighter a Letter of Compliance with NFPA Standards respecting the relevant standard under Fire Marshal’s Communiqué 2014-04, “Transition to NFPA Professional Qualifications Standards: Grandfathering Policy”, which is dated January 2014 and available on a website of the Government of Ontario.

(4) A certification standard does not apply with respect to a firefighter who, prior to July 1, 2019, was certified to an earlier version of that standard.

(5) If subsection (3) or (4) provides that a certification standard does not apply with respect to a firefighter, that firefighter is deemed to be certified to that standard for the purpose of clause 3 (1) (b).

5. Omitted (provides for amendments to this Regulation).

6. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Regulation).

Table 1
Mandatory Certification

Item

Column 1
Fire protection service

Column 2
Certification standard

1.

Develop, implement or deliver a public education program and supporting materials

NFPA 1035, “Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications”, 2015 Edition, Chapter 4, Level I

2.

Fire suppression activities, if the level of service provides for exterior attack only

NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2013 Edition, Level I

3.

Fire suppression activities, if the level of service provides for exterior and interior attack

NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2013 Edition, Level II

4.

Pump operations

NFPA 1002, “Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5

Note: On January 1, 2020, Table 1 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following items: (See: O. Reg. 379/18, s. 5 (2))

1.1

Dispatch fire department resources (personnel and equipment)

NFPA 1061, “Professional Qualifications for Public Safety Telecommunications Personnel”, 2014 Edition, Level I

1.2

Fire investigation activities

NFPA 1033, “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator”, 2014 Edition

1.3

Fire prevention inspections or plans examination activities

NFPA 1031, “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner”, 2014 Edition, Level I

. . . . .

3.1

Hazardous materials response at the Technician Level

NFPA 1072, “Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition

. . . . .

5.

Supervise other firefighters

NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2014 Edition, Level I

6.

Training courses for fire protection services

NFPA 1041, “Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications”, 2012 Edition, Level I

Note: On January 1, 2021, Table 1 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following item: (See: O. Reg. 379/18, s. 5 (3))

5.1

Technical rescue activities, but only the following technical rescue activities:
1. Confined space rescue
2. Ice rescue
3. Rope rescue
4. Surface water rescue
5. Swift water rescue
6. Trench rescue
7. Vehicle rescue

NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition