Staff Report: FIRE SAFETY ACT IMPLEMENTATION AND FIRE PROTECTION BYLAW UPDATES

FIRE SAFETY ACT IMPLEMENTATION AND FIRE PROTECTION BYLAW UPDATES

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated May 12, 2026 from the Assistant Fire Chief titled "Fire Safety Act Implementation and Fire Protection Bylaw Updates" be received for information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an overview of the Province of British Columbia's Fire Safety Act and outline the operational, governance, administrative, and legislative implications for the Town of View Royal and View Royal Fire Rescue. This report also seeks Council consideration of several bylaw amendments required to align the Town's municipal bylaws with the new legislative framework.

BACKGROUND:

On May 29, 2024, the Province of British Columbia brought the Fire Safety Act into force, replacing the former Fire Services Act. The Fire Safety Act represents the most significant modernization of fire service legislation in British Columbia in decades and establishes a modern legislative framework governing fire service delivery, fire prevention, inspections, training standards, enforcement authorities, and public safety responsibilities throughout the province.

The new legislation was introduced to modernize fire safety regulation, improve consistency across British Columbia, strengthen firefighter and public safety, and establish clearer accountability for local authorities and fire departments.

As a local authority operating a fire department, the Town of View Royal is required to ensure its operations, policies, procedures, and bylaws align with the new legislative framework.

ANALYSIS:

The Fire Safety Act introduces several significant changes impacting fire departments and local governments throughout British Columbia.

One of the most significant changes is the establishment of mandatory provincial minimum training standards for structure firefighters and fire officers. Under the previous Fire Services Act, firefighter training standards were largely established locally. The Fire Safety Act now creates a provincially regulated framework requiring fire departments to ensure firefighters meet prescribed competency and training requirements.

View Royal Fire Rescue has already begun implementing the BC Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards and associated competency tracking systems. This work includes the implementation of Job Performance Requirements (JPRs), enhanced records management systems, and ongoing competency validation processes.

The Fire Safety Act also modernizes inspection and enforcement authorities. The legislation provides clearer authority respecting fire inspections, evacuation orders, emergency scene control, fire investigations, and enforcement processes. The legislation also clarifies the authority of fire departments relating to dangerous conditions, unsafe buildings, and public safety hazards.

In addition, the legislation places increased emphasis on documentation, records management, inspections, and fire prevention activities. Municipal fire departments are expected to maintain enhanced records demonstrating compliance with training standards, inspections, and operational readiness.

The legislation also removes and updates several outdated concepts and terms contained within the former Fire Services Act. For example, the position of Local Assistant to the Fire Commissioner no longer exists under the new legislative framework.

Under the Fire Safety Act, the Town of View Royal, through Council, is the local authority having jurisdiction for fire protection and fire safety matters within the municipality. The local authority is responsible for establishing and operating the fire department, defining fire service levels, designating fire inspectors and fire investigators, adopting and enforcing fire protection bylaws, and ensuring compliance with provincial legislation.

In the fall of 2024, Council formally designated View Royal Fire Rescue personnel as fire inspectors and fire investigators for the purposes of administering the Fire Safety Act within the Town of View Royal.

The proposed Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026 establishes a modern consolidated bylaw governing fire prevention, inspections, fire protection systems, emergency access requirements, fire safety planning, incident scene authority, burning regulations, enforcement provisions, and cost recovery processes.

The proposed bylaw also repeals Fire Services Bylaw No. 114, 1992 and False Alarm Bylaw No. 658, 2007.

View Royal Fire Rescue is also proposing amendments to:

• Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 through Amendment Bylaw No. 1054, 2026;
• Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007 through Amendment Bylaw No. 1055, 2026;
• Addressing Bylaw No. 825, 2012 through Amendment Bylaw No. 1170, 2026.

The proposed amendment to the Addressing Bylaw removes outdated provisions related to displaying address requirements that are now addressed through other regulatory mechanisms and updates terminology for consistency.

The implementation of the Fire Safety Act will continue to require ongoing administrative and operational work by View Royal Fire Rescue. Areas impacted include firefighter training and competency tracking, records management, policy and procedure development, fire inspection programs, fire prevention activities, operational guideline updates, and ongoing compliance monitoring.

The updated fees and cost recovery provisions contained within the proposed bylaws will assist the Town in recovering costs associated with certain fire department responses, inspections, investigations, and extraordinary incidents.

The proposed bylaws will modernize the Town's fire protection regulatory framework, align municipal bylaws with the Fire Safety Act, improve clarity and enforcement authority, and support firefighter and public safety within the Town of View Royal.

ALIGNMENT:

The proposed bylaws support the Town's ongoing commitment to public safety, legislative compliance, modern governance practices, and effective emergency service delivery.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is:

☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower ☐ N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

The proposed bylaws are intended to support ongoing implementation of the Fire Safety Act and alignment with the current provincial legislative framework.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026
2. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 1054, 2026
3. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 1055, 2026
4. Addressing Bylaw No. 825, 2012, Amendment Bylaw No. 1170, 2026
5. Fire Safety Act Implementation Table
6. Fire Safety Act