Return to written question asked by Mr. Zoe to the Minister of Safety and Public Services concerning negotiations on fire training programs and standards.

A formalized agreement between the office of the fire marshal and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs on fire training programs and standards has not been completed. It is anticipated that a final agreement will be reached by July 1, 1994.

Standards for fire training programs were achieved on January 1, 1994. The standards are certification by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or basic fire training on standards developed by the Justice Institute of British Columbia. NWT fire fighters may obtain NFPA certification by completing the curriculum of the Alberta Fire Training School. The programs are taught in the NWT by the office of the fire marshal, and credit is transferable to the Alberta Fire Training School.

NWT fire fighters who do not wish to take NFPA certification, or who are unable to obtain that certification, may take advantage of continued basic fire training initiatives offered by the office of the fire marshal, including the British Columbia Justice Institute's fire training program, which was purchased by MACA for the office of the fire marshal in 1993.

The issues of fire fighter training and continuing development of standards will be discussed among the office of the fire marshal, MACA and community fire chiefs at the annual general meeting of the NWT Fire Chiefs' Association, scheduled for June 6 to June 9, 1994 in Yellowknife.