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B.C. chiefs forms partnership to research training

Jan. 9, 2013 – The Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia (FCABC) is partnering with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to study fire-service training programs and delivery in order to develop a safer, stronger and more resilient fire service.

FCABC second vice-president Don Jolley, who is the fire chief in Pitt Meadows, said in a press release this week that the study will recommend funding solutions to help to improve training opportunities for the province’s firefighters.

“Throughout the province, particularly in rural, remote areas, there’s a disconnect between the fire service and the training that’s available to them,” Jolley said in an interview.

“Cost, the availability of programs and the ability of departments’ members going to training are challenges. There’s also a real lack of knowledge about the programs that are available.”

The FCABC’s executive decided to do the study because of continued concerns expressed by fire chiefs around the province, Jolley said. He said the association wants the review to be done by an academic institution to ensure credibility.

All members of the fire service in British Columbia will have the opportunity to participate in the review, Jolley said. BCIT research staff will contact all training institutions in the province to discuss and review their roles and responsibilities.

“With the results, we hope to identify the gaps that exist in providing training throughout the whole province, as well as the challenges in bridging those gaps,” Jolley said.

“We are looking for some solutions to these challenges, including identifying fiscal and funding alternatives that make the training accessible to everybody . . . and for solutions to training gaps, in terms of the different levels of training and the transitions between them.”

The results of the study will be compiled into a report to be published by the end of March.