Standards and training

Firefighter, fire inspector and fire investigator training and competency standards are maintained and published by the Office of the Fire Commissioner as required by the Fire Safety Act. Introductory training will be available for fire inspectors and fire investigators in fall of 2024.

Firefighter minimum training standards

The British Columbia Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards sets the minimum levels of training requirements for the provision of fire services in each community so that firefighters are effective and operating in a safe manner. 

Read more about training standards and request materials.

Local assistant to the fire commissioner training

Local assistant to the fire commissioner training was required for individuals who were appointed as a local assistant to the fire commissioner (LAFC). When the Fire Safety Act comes into effect on August 1, 2024, the LAFC functions that were part of the Fire Services Act will be discontinued within 90 days. As a result, LAFC training will not continue after August 1, 2024.

The LAFC program will end October 28, 2024, and under the Fire Safety Act, local authorities will have to designate, in writing, a person or a class of persons as inspector(s) and investigator(s). This should be done once the Fire Safety Act is brought into force on August 1, 2024, and ideally before the LAFC program ends.