THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, HAS 7,550 FIREFIGHTERS in nearly 290 fire departments.  But almost all of them are operating without any set training standards and with no training facilities to learn proper skills and techniques of firefighting.

Currently there is only one Fire Academy in the entire province and the facilities are more than 40 years old.

Nova Scotia Firefighters School photo

The Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald received a copy of a report from the Fire Chief’s Training Committee that points out the severe shortage of proper training for the province.

The report calls for replacing the central training facility with a modern and more adequate facility and for the establishment of five regional training sites around the province.  They are also calling for the creation of a set of professional firefighting standards along with mandatory training regulations.

The Chronicle Herald reports further:

Chief Bernie MacKinnon of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality said that right now firefighters usually get their first training answering real 911 calls, putting themselves and the public at risk.

“Career and volunteer firefighters in Nova Scotia cannot, and should not, rely on on-the-job live fire training to acquire basic firefighting and fire command skills,” said Chief MacKinnon, the committee chairman.

Read the complete story in the Chronicle Herald HERE.

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