Province Moves Forward on Firefighter Training Plan

September 22, 2025

A broad group of experienced firefighters and emergency management professionals will create a new firefighter training program for the province.

The Province announced the establishment of the Nova Scotia Fire Training Advisory Committee today, September 22. The committee, with 32 members from across Nova Scotia, will put together an interim basic firefighter training plan that covers everything from how fire behaves to using ladders safely to getting people out of crashed vehicles.

The Province created the committee after a value-for-money audit found serious safety and governance issues at the Nova Scotia Firefighters Training School earlier this summer.

“The safety of our firefighters and the quality of their training are paramount,” said Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. “The establishment of the committee marks a decisive step toward rebuilding trust, enforcing rigorous safety protocols and enhancing governance to meet and exceed national standards.”

The committee, led by co-chairs Mark Bettens, Chief Director of the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service, and Paul Maynard, Director of Client Services with the Department of Emergency Management, will develop and implement an interim regional plan for firefighter training that covers:

• firefighter safety and survival
• personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
• fire behavior and suppression techniques
• ladders and ventilation
• forcible entry and search techniques
• water supply and fire streams
• incident command
• live fire training
• vehicle extrication
• communications
• emergency vehicle operator
• hazardous materials awareness and how to deal with them.

The committee will work with Mi’kmaw community fire chiefs throughout the province to ensure the interim and long-term provincial firefighter training plans meet their organizational needs.

The interim training plan will help maintain firefighter safety and readiness through:

• consistent access to core basic training
• support for municipal fire departments by delivering safe entry-level firefighter education
• standardizing delivery of basic training across the province during the interim period
• building a collaborative network of local trainers and fire service leaders to support this initiative
• work with municipalities to ensure the ongoing delivery of high-quality training on a regional basis.

All courses will adhere to applicable safety standards.

Quotes:

“We all depend on firefighters being ready to respond when we need them. For all they do and risk for us, we need to do everything we can to make sure they have the training and support they need to be safe and successful. I want to thank everyone involved with this committee for taking on this important duty.”

— John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs

“The formation of the Nova Scotia Fire Training Advisory Committee and the development of an interim training plan is a vital step forward. This will ensure that our fire service personnel receive consistent, effective training that supports their safety and preparedness.”

— Greg Jones, President, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

• the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia is leading a broader review of fire services governance, focusing on operations, training, communications, funding and more; it is expected to be complete this fall

Additional Resources:

Value-for-money audit report on Nova Scotia Firefighters School: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/nova-scotia-firefighters-school-audit

News release – Province Ends Relationship With Firefighters School: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/08/05/province-ends-relationship-firefighters-school

Nova Scotia Fire Training Advisory Committee members:

Co-Chairs:

• Mark Bettens, Chief Director, Cape Breton Regional Fire Service
• Paul Maynard, Director of Client Services, Department of Emergency Management

Executive:

• Greg Jones, President, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia and Chief of the Amherst Fire Department
• Rod Nielsen, Vice-President, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia and Chief of Brookfield Fire & Emergency Services
• Mike Lockett, President, Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association
• Peter Andrews, heavy urban search and rescue, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
• Robert Patzelt, governance advisor
• Dave Rockwood, Department of Emergency Management
• Doug MacKenzie, provincial Fire Marshal
• Lynelle Vetsch, Deputy Fire Marshal
• Fred Jeffers, occupational health and safety representative, Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
• regional training representatives
  • Halifax Regional Municipality/East Hants/West Hants
    • David Meldrum, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
    • Kensa Harris, Lantz Fire Department
  • Lunenburg/Queens/Shelburne/Barrington/Yarmouth
    • Paul Gould, Quinan & District Volunteer Fire Department
  • Kings/Annapolis/Digby/Clare
    • Ian Fairclough, Kentville Volunteer Fire Department
  • Colchester/Cumberland/Pictou
    • Mark Goodwin, Amherst Fire Department
  • Antigonish/Guysborough/Richmond/Mulgrave/St. Mary’s
    • Shawn Andrews, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
  • Cape Breton Regional Municipality/Victoria/Inverness/Port Hawkesbury
    • Steve Marcellus, Regional Emergency Management Officer, Municipality of the County of Richmond
    • Craig MacNeil, Deputy Fire Chief, Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Advisory:

• Brendan Meagher, President, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters
• Terry MacAloney, Elmsdale Fire & Emergency Services
• Chris Kennedy, Fire Services Co-ordinator, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
• Mike Devaux, Yarmouth Fire Department
• Adam Levings, Brighton and Barton Volunteer Fire Department
• David McCormick, Bear River Fire Department
• Kathy Babcooke, Wolfville Fire Department
• Nick Power, Saint Bernard Fire Department
• Blois Currie, Truro Fire Service
• Rod Dykeman , Bible Hill Fire Department
• Ross White, New Glasgow Fire Department
• Jim Cavanagh, Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department
• Alfred Aucoin, Lemoine Volunteer Fire Department
• Gaetan Goguen, Indian Brook Fire (Sipekne’katik)

NT5