Heather Wright/The Independent

Firefighters in St. Clair Township who don’t attend mandatory live fire training will be demoted and their pay will be cut until they’ve completed the training.

That as the department struggles to meet current training requirements and meet the deadline for new training standards in the province.

St. Clair Township Fire Chief Richard Boyes told council Jan.13 there are 13 firefighters who have not attended mandatory live fire training sessions in the past year. That, he said in a report to council, “increases the likelihood of accidents, injuries, or fatalities during operations.”

It also reduces the department’s capacity “to respond effectively to emergencies, increasing risks to public safety,” he said, adding it could mean more property damage, increased injuries or even the loss of life.”

Boyes says the municipality could face charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act if the training isn’t completed. And, if a firefighter who hasn’t had yearly live fire training is injured or
killed, the municipality could face lawsuits.

Boyes recommended, and council approved, demoting any firefighter who didn’t complete the training to second-class status and reducing their pay. They also would not be able to go inside a structure during a fire.

Mayor Jeff Agar agreed with the move. “I for one, don’t want to be involved if someone’s not totally
trained and they end up getting hurt. We’d all feel super terrible if it was over something like this. So, it has to be done.”

While he agreed something had to be done, Councillor Brad Langstaff felt demoting the firefighters was a step too far. “The financial aspect of that, I can understand. If they’re doing less, they may receive less, but some of these men deserve their stripes and should keep them.”

Boyes says the department will also offer additional training to accommodate the firefighters where
possible. The mandatory live training is not the only issue the department is facing. Boyes says they’re also struggling to meet new provincial rules requiring all firefighters – whether they are full time or volunteer – to be trained to National Fire Protection Association standards by July 2026. They also have to meet the NFPA standards for things like auto extraction and high angle rescues by July 2028.

Boyes says they’ve been working on the certifications since 2022, but with less than two years left, the department will need about 6,520 hours of training to meet the requirement. That has to be done on evenings and weekends.

Boyes in a report to council, says it is challenging since regular training continues. “Training is often
under attended…Current resources, including the Deputy Chief of Training’s oversight of all training,
are insufficient to meet the growing demands.”

Boyes called it an “unprecedented challenge.”

The mayor asked if the newly commissioned $130,000 virtual training program council approved
during the capital budget would help. “The virtual reality will do it by allowing us to do repetition…to ensure that the firefighters have the skills,” Boyes responded. But the training crunch also involves
meeting the new NFPA standards.

“Without immediate and sustained support—such as the addition of a full-time Training Officer, strategic
resource allocation, and enhanced training models—the risk of failing to meet mandated timelines becomes increasingly significant,” he writes. “It is imperative that council acknowledges the gravity of these challenges and acts decisively to provide the necessary support.

“Proactive investment in training resources is not only a regulatory necessity but also a strategic imperative to safeguard firefighter and public safety.”

Council asked staff to “explore options to enhance training delivery.”