The province is considering new legislation that could make it more difficult for towns like Caledon to fill their volunteer firefighting force.
In a letter to Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Marie France-Lalonde, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) made it clear, they disagree with some proposed changes to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (1997), and they believe rural towns will struggle to maintain and train volunteer forces, “if the proposed firefighter certification regulation is instituted, even if provincial funding is provided to assist implementation.”
Lynn Dolin, AMO president, wrote the letter which asks the province for more consideration, basically, when it comes to the time of volunteer firefighters. New proposed legislation from the province creates what is essentially a 24-month internship for new recruits, complete with five, five-day training sessions they are required to attend.
AMO expressed concern with the possible cost to municipalities, as well as the deterrence this may create for anyone considering volunteering.
“These municipal governments will likely soon face the hard and public discussion of what fire services, beyond the Fire Protection and Prevention Act required fire safety public education and fire prevention, can be provided to their community,” Dolin wrote.
The letter suggests a number of actions, including delaying implementation, but also suggests alternative training forms, such as online webinars, to save time and cost.
Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, who sits on the board of the AMO, supported the letter and its requests, stating that Caledon shared the sentiments, and could see a serious impact on recruitment and retention of volunteers, simply because of the time commitment training could require.
“The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) will submit a number of requests to the ministry such as: Asking for delay in implementation until January 1, 2020 and expanding grandfathering eligibility for training requirements; and asking for an amendment to include liability indemnification to all municipalities who meet the training and certification requirements,” Thompson said. “Caledon Fire and Emergency Services supports the issues and requests made by AMO and the OAFC. The biggest impact will be on the significant time and resources required for volunteers to complete the necessary training and certification prior to January 1, 2019. There may also be retention impact for volunteers who will potentially be required to take multiple weeks of vacation from their-full time careers to take the necessary training.”
The entire response letter from AMO is available on their website: amo.on.ca.
Link to article in Caledon Enterprise: Proposed firefighter training could make recruitment difficult in Caledon