Legislation 2022 Flashcards
What are the main Acts affect the fire service?
*hint: there are 11
- Fire Protection and Prevention Act
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Employment Standards Act
- Emergency Preparedness and Civil Protection Act
- Highway Traffic Act
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
- Criminal Code
- Environmental Protection Act
- Dangerous Goods Transportation Act
- Municipal Act
- Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy act
Define the following: SHALL, MUST, DUTIES, POWERS, MAY, RIGHT, DELEGATE
Shall: prescribed actions.
Must: prescribed actions.
Duty: is an obligation
Power: is the authority to do something
Delegate: right to transfer powers and duties
Right: is an authorization (For example the right to enter adjacent properties)
What is the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA)? How many parts is it divided into? What does it establish?
- Governs the fire service in Ontario
- Divided into 12 parts
- Establishes the mandatory obligations of a municipality with respect to the fire service? public education with respect to fire safety and certain components of fire prevention; and provide such other fire protection services as it determines may be necessary in accordance with its needs and circumstances.
- Establishes the right to enter adjacent lands and properties in emergencies and fire investigations.
- Establishes the Fire Code
- Establishes regulations, rights, and powers regarding inspections
- Defines offences and enforcement
- Enables a municipality to recover costs. - the costs can be collected as municipal taxes
What else does the FPPA establish?
- Establishes the rights of firefighters regarding employment and labour relations
- Establishes and defines the Fire Safety Commission
- Establishes and defines the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council
Part XII – Miscellaneous
Why should you know the FPPA?
- You have delegated rights and powers under the act
Part V sections 13 and 14
- Empowers the fire department to investigate, inspect and make safe through charges, fines etc.
- You are a representative of the Department and most often the senior ranking official.
What role for the FPPA play in investigations?
The fire service investigates under the FPPA to determine cause, origin and circumstances
Can you lay charges under the FPPA?
No.
Do you investigate and charge under the Criminal Code for Arson?
No, we do NOT investigate and charge under the Criminal Code for Arson
Who is arson investigated by? If you request an investigator what are some questions you might be asked?
Arson is investigated by Police and they require a warrant, unlike an investigation under the FPPA.
If you request an investigator you will be asked a number of questions.
- Did you talk to your crews?
- How much damage?
- What are the circumstances?
- Do you suspect arson? If so why?
What happens to things you remove after you know it is arson?
- Anything we remove after we know it is Arson may not be admissible as evidence
What are the actions taken if WFRS determines that Arson is highly likely?
- If Arson is highly likely or determined then WFRS will cease an investigation and wait for Police to take over and investigate under the Criminal Code.
- This is why we often secure the scene and wait for Police.
- Like the FPPA, the Criminal Code provides Police the right to bring others into the investigation to assist
Explain what Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act explains and how this relates to the Fire Service.
- Section 21 allows the minister to appoint committees to advise on specific industries or areas
- One of these areas is the Fire Service
- There are section 21 Guidance notes for the Fire Service and WFRS has SOP’s to reflect each Guidance Note. (you should be familiar with the ones that apply to your position)
- All supervisors in the corporation must receive OHSA training.
Can individual and corporations be charged under the OHSA?
Yes, individuals and corporations can be charged for contraventions under this Act.
Explain what Due Diligence means.
- a defence that would prove every precaution “reasonable” under the
circumstances was taken. - ensuring that information, instruction and supervision is provided to a worker to protect his health and safety.
- compliance initiatives and documentation used to prove all precautions reasonable in the circumstances were taken.
What is the term “reasonable” loosely defined as?
- a standard that may be known
- current information
- Information that is, or should reasonably be readily available, but may not be prescribed in the regulations.