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Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

ONTARIO REGULATION 343/22

FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION

Historical version for the period April 14, 2022 to June 30, 2022.

Note: THIS REGULATION IS NOT YET IN FORCE. It comes into force on July 1, 2022.

No amendments.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

CONTENTS

1.

Definition

2.

Mandatory certification

3.

Exceptions

4.

Transition

5.

Commencement

Table 1

Mandatory certification for fire protection services

 

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 Column 1 of Table 1 only if, on or after the corresponding day specified in Column 3 of that Table,

(a)  the firefighter performing the fire protection service is certified, at a minimum, to the corresponding certification standard set out in Column 2 of 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,

(a)  provided by the Fire Marshal; or

(b)  an accreditation from the International Fire Safety Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or a Pro Board seal, that is recognized by the Fire Marshal as equivalent to the certification provided by the Fire Marshal.

Exceptions

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

(a)  is performing a service that is within the scope of that item;

(b)  has been a firefighter for no more than 36 months; and

(c)  is operating under the supervision of a firefighter certified to that standard.

(2) A certification standard set out in Column 2 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter who is,

(a)  temporarily assigned to perform a different fire protection service for which a different minimum certification is required; and

(b)  operating under the supervision of a firefighter who has obtained the certification corresponding to the fire protection service or services being delivered.

(3) A certification standard set out in Column 2 of item 17 or 18 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter who performed Pump Operations before the day this Regulation came into force.

(4) If a firefighter was previously certified under this Regulation for a fire protection service listed in Column 1 of Table 1, that certification continues to be valid even if the requirements for obtaining that certification are subsequently updated or changed.

(5) If the Fire Marshal granted a firefighter a letter of compliance with a certification standard before the day this Regulation came into force, the letter of compliance continues to be valid and the firefighter is deemed to be in compliance with the corresponding certification standard set out in Column 2 of Table 1.

Transition

4. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a certification standard set out in Column 2 of item 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 of Table 1 does not apply with respect to a firefighter if the Fire Marshal issues the firefighter a letter of compliance with the certification standard in accordance with this section.

(2) The Fire Marshal shall issue a letter of compliance with a certification standard to a firefighter if,

(a)  the firefighter has been performing the fire protection service that the standard corresponds to since at least,

(i)  January 1, 2021, in the case of a certification standard set out in Column 2 of item 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, or

(ii)  January 1, 2020, in the case of a certification standard set out in Column 2 of item 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15;

(b)  before September 30, 2023, the firefighter’s municipality, or fire department in an area without municipal organization, provides the Fire Marshal with information, such as training records, to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Fire Marshal that the firefighter, through past training and experience, has obtained the requisite knowledge and requisite skills associated with the corresponding standard; and

(c)  the Fire Marshal is satisfied with the information provided under clause (b).

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

Table 1
Mandatory Certification for Fire Protection Services

Item

Column 1
Fire protection service

Column 2
Minimum Certification Standard

Column 3
Compliance Deadline

1.

Firefighter Exterior Attack: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 4 (Firefighter I) and Chapter 5 (Firefighter II):

4.1, 4.2, 4.3.1, 4.3.2,4.3.3, 4.3.6, 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.10 (A1-A9, B1-B3, B4 (exterior stairway), B5-B10), 4.3.15, 4.3.16, 4.3.17, 4.3.18, 4.3.19, 4.3.20, 4.3.21, 4.5

5.1, 5.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.2 (A1-A4), 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.4.2, 5.5.3, 5.5.4, 5.5.5

July 1, 2026

2.

Firefighter Exterior Attack and auto extrication: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only and auto extrication rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 1 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 5 (Firefighter II):

5.4.1

July 1, 2026

3.

Firefighter Exterior Attack and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only and Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in item 1, all job performance requirements of NFPA 1072, “Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5 (Operations) and the following job performance requirements of Chapter 6 (Operations Mission Specific):

6.2 and 6.6

July 1, 2026

4.

Firefighter Exterior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only, automobile extrication rescue and Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in items 1, 2 and 3.

July 1, 2026

5.

Firefighter Interior Attack: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 1 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 4 (Firefighter I) and Chapter 5 (Firefighter II):

4.3.4, 4.3.9, 4.3.10 (A10-A11, B4 (interior stairway), B11), 4.3.11, 4.3.12, 4.3.13, 4.3.14

5.3.2 (A5-A9, B1-B6)

July 1, 2026

6.

Firefighter Interior Attack and auto extrication: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue and automobile extrication rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 5 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 5 (Firefighter II):

5.4.1

July 1, 2026

7.

Firefighter Interior Attack and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in item 5, all job performance requirements of NFPA 1072, “Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5 (Operations) and the following job performance requirements of Chapter 6 (Operations Mission Specific):

6.2 and 6.6

July 1, 2026

8.

Firefighter Interior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials response: Fire suppression operations that enter the interior of the building and can perform rescue, automobile extrication rescue and Operations-level hazardous materials response (full service firefighter).

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1001, “Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 5 (Firefighter II).

July 1, 2026

9.

Team Lead Exterior Attack: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only.

All job performance requirements in item 1 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

10.

Team Lead Exterior Attack and auto extrication: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only or that provide auto extrication rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 2 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

11.

Team Lead Exterior Attack and hazardous materials response: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only or that provide Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in item 3 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

12.

Team Lead Exterior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the exterior of the building only or that provide automobile extrication rescue or Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in item 4, and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

13.

Team Lead Interior Attack: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the interior of the building and can perform rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 5 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

14.

Team Lead Interior Attack and auto extrication: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the interior of the building and can perform rescue or that provide automobile extrication rescue.

All job performance requirements in item 6 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

15.

Team Lead Interior Attack and hazardous materials response: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the interior of the building and can perform rescue or that provide Operations-level hazardous materials response.

All job performance requirements in item 7 and the following job performance requirements of NFPA 1021, “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I):

4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, 4.5.3, 4.6, 4.7.1, 4.7.3

July 1, 2026

16.

Team Lead Interior Attack, auto extrication and hazardous materials response: Supervision of firefighters that provide fire suppression operations from the interior of the building and can perform rescue or that provide automobile extrication rescue or Operations-level hazardous materials response (full service fire officer).

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1021 “Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Officer I).

July 1, 2026

17.

Pump Operations: Operation of a pumper apparatus without driving the apparatus, or where the apparatus does not require a class D licence.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1002, “Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5 (Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pump), without pre-requisites in Chapter 4.

July 1, 2026

18.

Pump Operations: driver: Driving and operating a pumper apparatus that requires a class D licence.

All job performance requirements in NFPA 1002 “Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 5 (Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pump).

July 1, 2026

19.

Fire Prevention/Inspection Level I: conducting fire and life safety inspections.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1031, “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner”, 2014 Edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Inspector I).

July 1, 2026

20.

Fire Prevention/Inspection Level II: conducting fire and life safety inspections including in facilities that store, handle or use flammable/combustible liquids.

All job performance requirements in item 19 and NFPA 1031, “Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner”, 2014 Edition, Chapter 5 (Fire Inspector II).

July 1, 2026

21.

Fire Investigator: conducting fire cause and origin investigations.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1033, “Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator”, 2014 Edition, Chapter 4 (Fire Investigator).

July 1, 2026

22.

Fire and Life Safety Educator: providing fire and life safety education.

All job performance requirements of 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 (Fire and Life Safety Educator I).

July 1, 2026

23.

Training Officer Level I: providing training and education to other fire personnel.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1041, “Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 4 (Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I).

July 1, 2026

24.

Training Officer Level II: providing training and education to other fire personnel including lead instructor roles at live fire and above or below grade technical rescue practical training.

All job performance requirements in item 23 and NFPA 1041, “Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Instructor Professional Qualifications”, 2019 Edition, Chapter 5 (Fire and Emergency Services Instructor II).

July 1, 2026

25.

Emergency Communicators Level I: taking emergency calls.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1061, “Standard for Public Safety Telecommunications Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2018 Edition, Chapter 4 (Public Safety Telecommunicator I).

July 1, 2026

26.

Emergency Communicators Level II: taking emergency calls and dispatching emergency vehicles.

All job performance requirements in item 25 and NFPA 1061, “Standard for Public Safety Telecommunications Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2018 Edition, Chapter 5 (Public Safety Telecommunicator II).

July 1, 2026

27.

Incident Safety Officers: undertaking the primary role of incident safety officer at emergency calls.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1521, “Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer Professional Qualifications”, 2020 Edition, Chapter 5 (Incident Safety Officer).

July 1, 2026

28.

Hazardous Materials Response — Operations Mission Specific Level: responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials at the Operations Mission Specific Level.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1072, “Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 6 (Operations Mission Specific)

July 1, 2026

29.

Hazardous Materials Response — Technician Level: responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials at the Technician Level.

All job performance requirements of NFPA 1072, “Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2017 Edition, Chapter 7 (Hazardous Materials Technician).

July 1, 2026

30.

Rope Rescue — Operations: rope rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 5 (Rope Rescue) (Operations):

5.2

July 1, 2028

31.

Rope Rescue — Technician: rope rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 5 (Rope Rescue) (Technician):

5.3

July 1, 2028

32.

Structural Collapse — Operations: structural collapse rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 6 (Structural Collapse Rescue) (Operations):

6.2

July 1, 2028

33.

Structural Collapse — Technician: structural collapse rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 6 (Structural Collapse Rescue) (Technician):

6.3

July 1, 2028

34.

Confined Space — Operations: confined space rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 7 (Confined Space Rescue) (Operations):

7.2

July 1, 2028

35.

Confined Space — Technician: confined space rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 7 (Confined Space Rescue) (Technician):

7.3

July 1, 2028

36.

Trench Rescue — Operations: trench rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 12 (Trench Rescue) (Operations):

12.2

July 1, 2028

37.

Trench Rescue — Technician: trench rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 12 (Trench Rescue) (Technician):

12.3

July 1, 2028

38.

Surface Water Rescue — Operations: surface water rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 17 (Surface Water Rescue) (Operations):

17.2

July 1, 2028

39.

Surface Water Rescue — Technician: surface water rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 17 (Surface Water Rescue) (Technician):

17.3

July 1, 2028

40.

Swift Water Rescue — Operations: swift water rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 18 (Swiftwater Rescue) (Operations):

18.2

July 1, 2028

41.

Swift Water Rescue — Technician: swift water rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 18 (Swiftwater Rescue) (Technician):

18.3

July 1, 2028

42.

Ice Water Rescue — Operations: ice water rescue at the Operations Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 20 (Ice Rescue) (Operations):

20.2

July 1, 2028

43.

Ice Water Rescue — Technician: ice water rescue at the Technician Level.

The following job performance requirements of NFPA 1006, “Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications”, 2021 Edition, Chapter 20 (Ice Rescue) (Technician):

20.3

July 1, 2028