Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia

Great info to share! Note the phone number to report suspected illegal burning is 1-800-564-2224 not the "information" number in the video

April 28 COVID restrictions with Q & A https://docs.google.com//2PACX-1vQkT_c1XumWOjLkgXlYA_s/pub

Take care around the forests & grasslands this weekend. Sunny & windy forecast will continue to make for drier conditions

Thanks to all the volunteer firefighters in Nova Scotia for you unwavering service to others. We know the fire service involves so much more than fire suppression; your time and talents are very much appreciated.

Condolences to the family and friends of long time FSANS member and director, Russ MacKintosh. https://kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com//Russ/obituary.html

Burning restrictions in NS begin today!

After a lengthy dialogue with Dr. Strang, we finally have a reasonably definitive answer as to what we are permitted to do under the current Public Health directives regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect an update early next week, so this may change, but for the present this is the interpretation we’ve received: In-house meetings: Meetings are limited to ten (10) people face-to-face unless there is a critical reason for exceeding that number. Section 5.20 of the direc...tive offers an exemption from that number for carrying out duties or when necessary during training. So, in other words, if your meeting is deemed to be critical to the operation of your fire service it can proceed without being restricted to ten people; if not deemed critical a meeting must only include a maximum of ten people face-to-face with any additional attending virtually (Zoom or other). In-house training: Specific to training, the limit of 10 (ten) persons for training does not apply for firefighters as per clause 5.8 and while physical distancing is not required to be maintained, it should be as much as is feasible. Finally in Dr. Strang’s words: Fire departments should always be looking to meet general Public Health restrictions (even if Section 5.20 gives them an exemption) unless there is a valid and important reason for not doing so. meaning in all cases, physical distancing should be maintained and masks worn if distancing is not assured. The Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia does not set nor enforce the limitations or restrictions around fire service activities during this pandemic, but highly recommends to all fire services in the province that these directives be followed so as to exhibit to the local community that they do recognize and respect the directives and show a positive example as we work through this together. Sincerely, Daniel Gaudet, President - FSANS

Great news for retired firefighters & GSAR members https://novascotia.ca/news/release/

For Immediate Release 2021-02-01 Re: Status of FDIC Atlantic Originally Scheduled for June 4-6, 2021 Due to the ever evolving climate around the COVID-19 Pandem...ic and out of an abundance of caution, The FDIC Atlantic Conference originally scheduled for June 4-6, 2021 in Wolfville, NS has been postponed. This is a decision not taken lightly, however, like the Conference that was postponed in 2020, the directors all agree that the safety of delegates is always a top priority, This, along with uncertainty around the pandemic has led us to the decision that we are unable to move forward with planning for this year’s in-person conference. Virtual opportunities are currently being explored which we may be able to offer until such a time where we can once again come together at FDIC Atlantic in Wolfville, NS with fellow first responders from all over Atlantic Canada, and beyond. Thank you & Stay Safe, -President, Stephen Fenner

CANCELLED - 2021 FSANS conference scheduled for March 27 & 28 . Planning is underway for the 2022 conference.

Ice safety https://www.redcross.ca//swimming-boating-and-w/ice-safety

Banned product; First Alert Fire Spray The Fire Marshal has determined that this type of product is a portable fire extinguisher which does not meet the National Fire Code requirements. Therefore, under Section 21 of the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Regulations they are not acceptable for sale, distribution, or possession in Nova Scotia. Municipal Fire Officials or Deputy Fire Marshals who come across these products being sold or distributed are requested to advise those involve...d that these products can not be sold, distributed or possessed, and request that these products be removed. Penalties under the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act could result for non-compliance with this Safety Alert and the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Regulations. Initially those penalties range up to a maximum of $25,000 and 6 months in jail for an individual, and up to $50,000 for a corporation

Situational Awareness: The foundation for good decision making This program shares the powerful findings of Dr. Gasaway’s extensive research on issues related to first responder decision making and flawed situational awareness. In his review of hundreds of near-miss reports, case studies, line-of-duty death reports and videos he continually found himself being frustrated because there were so many clues, indicators and signs that the incident was going to end in disaster. Yet..., for some reason, personnel operating at the incident scene from company officers to incident commanders could not see it coming. Or if they did see it coming, they did nothing to alter their course. In his research to understand why first responders were (seemingly) blind and deaf to what was happening right in front of them, Dr. Gasaway uncovered and investigated over one hundred barriers that can destroy situational awareness and flaw decision making. This program focuses on some of the most pervasive situational awareness barriers first responders will face while operating in stress-filled, dynamically-changing environments. See more

Deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow firefighters of Miles. Rest in peace.

Fire Smart Community

Changes to the 2020 NS FF Tax Credit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201216005

FireSmart Prepare your cottage or camp for the winter https://firesmartcanada.ca//FS_Generic-HomeOwnersManual_Bo

Thanksgiving Safety https://www.dropbox.com/s/rky/CanadaThanksgivingSafety.pdf