Legislation Commits Province to Strengthen Fire Services

The Province will address long-standing issues in fire services in Nova Scotia, including governance, consistency in fire response, firefighter health and well-being, access to safe training and certification.

The Fire Safety and Services Act, introduced today, October 1, commits the government to create a legislative framework to respond to the wide range of matters identified in this year’s value-for-money audit of the Nova Scotia Firefighters School and in a new report from the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia.

Consultation and public feedback on those reports will also help build the framework.

“When a 911 call comes in, we want our fire services to be consistent across the province,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “The future legislative framework will be informed by the feedback received through our consultations, and that will help to ensure a more cohesive fire service from one end of the province to the other.”

Nova Scotia is one of the few Canadian jurisdictions that does not have a clear mandate for fire services in legislation. The Province will introduce its legislation in 2026.

Quotes:

“The current state of fire services in Nova Scotia is highly complex and fragmented, and the result has been inconsistent services across the province. A new legislative framework will help us build new levels of capability, capacity and consistency for fire services and training in Nova Scotia.”
— Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management

“The Province’s commitment to introducing new legislation is a bold step toward resolving long-standing challenges and building a stronger, safer and more unified fire service across Nova Scotia. We are optimistic about the future and proud to be part of this transformative journey.”
— Greg Jones, President, Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

• the Province plans comprehensive consultations with municipalities, firefighters, fire service managers, associations and other relevant stakeholders
• fire departments were consulted extensively in the recent Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia governance review and will have an opportunity to provide additional input on the implementation of those recommendations
• there are currently more than 300 fire departments in the province, and levels of fire services vary
• there are several governance models, including department structures, commissions, municipalities, incorporated volunteer organizations or a combination

Additional Resources:

Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-65-session-1

Value-for-money audit report on the 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

Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZvfIYaWpjcehG6QECCzP9cJlrk5Rn3WT/view

News release – Province Moves Forward on Firefighter Training Plan: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/09/22/province-moves-forward-firefighter-training-plan

Office of the Fire Marshal: https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/office-fire-marshal