New Fire Protection Services Act Proclaimed

The new Fire Protection Services Act and its associated regulations were proclaimed today. The new act modernizes and consolidates older legislation and provides for improved fire safety for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This new legislation and its regulations include many of the themes and constructs of the former Fire Prevention Act, but have been reorganized and restructured to provide for the enhanced safety of our citizens,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL). “This new legislation accurately reflects the practice, operation and provision of fire protection services in this province and focuses on fire prevention.”

The new act provides for a number of the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Fire Commissioner to be exercised by the Fire Chief of St. John’s Regional Fire Department within the jurisdiction it serves. The new regulations also require municipal fire departments to prepare and submit fire loss reports to the Fire Protection Services Division of FES-NL.

Also contained in the new act is a new regulatory requirement that mandates new and existing residential properties, including cabins and cottages, to have functioning smoke alarms, as per the National Building Code of Canada. The Provincial Government recognizes that fire prevention and effective safety measures lessen the burden on public infrastructure and, most importantly, save lives.

“Since 2000, more than 60 people have died as a result of fires in our province and it is suspected that smoke alarms were absent in many of these incidents,” noted Minister O’Brien. “Many times, advanced warning is critical to getting out of a fire alive. While previously only a requirement for new home construction, these new regulations compel residents to ensure proper, functioning smoke alarms are installed on every level and in each sleeping area to protect families and reduce risks.”

The Provincial Government will partner with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, community fire departments, and other organizations in the coming weeks to embark on a public education campaign. The goal of the campaign will be to inform and educate residents of the critical importance of smoke alarms in residential properties throughout the province.

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Media contact:
Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca 

2012 06 01                               11:50 a.m.