GOVERNANCE
Commitment 5.4.8 – We will develop and propose amendments to the Fire Prevention Act, and work with stakeholders to identify priorities for Community Fire Protection Plans.
Background:
The Fire Prevention Act (FPA) and Regulations provide a legislative framework for structural fire prevention in the NWT. This framework establishes the system by which the NWT prevents and addresses fire and the threat of fire to persons and property. Together, the FPA and Regulations set out the processes for:
• Structural fire investigation and reporting,
• Fire hazard regulation,
• Adoption and application of codes and standards, and
• The appointment process and duties of public officers.
The FPA has not been fully reviewed since the mid-1950s and has gone through very few changes since then.
MACA also remains focused on helping municipal governments improve community fire protection and prevention. Through a collaborative process, MACA and key stakeholders maintain a Community Fire Protection Plan, which provides measures to help support development and maintenance of community fire protection services.
Municipal and Community Affairs is working to develop amendments to the FPA and working with stakeholders to identify priorities for Community Fire Protection Plans during the life of the 18th Assembly. Steps to amend the FPA and Community Fire Protection Plans include:
- completion of public engagement on issues of potential amendments to the FPA and published a ‘What We Heard’ report (Milestone 1);
- development of standard operating procedure templates for community fire departments (Milestone 2);
- development of a web-based fire training resources center (Milestone 3);
- introduction of a Bill to amend the Fire Protection Act (Milestone 4); and
- implementation of community fire protection action plans and the fire prevention program (Milestone 5 & 6)
Links to Other Government Activities:
N/A
For more information about this initiative, please contact the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.