The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) has extended the deadline for designated local government fire inspectors and investigators to meet established training standards to September 30, 2026 (from July 31, 2025), as it continues to develop curricula that meet the established learning objectives. New training programs will be offered in December 2025.
Under the Fire Safety Act, local governments are required to designate fire inspectors and investigators. For clarity, this requirement also applies to regional districts, including those that intend to request that the OFC perform fire inspections and investigations on their behalf at no cost.
The training courses will be launched on December 15, 2025, at which time access information will be shared with fire service partners. The online courses will be designed to take approximately eight hours each to complete and will be available at no cost. Local governments will have until September 30, 2026, to ensure that all designated fire inspectors and investigators meet the required training standards. Fire inspectors and investigators can continue to be designated while the Province is developing the training courses.
In the meantime, the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) process remains available for fire inspectors and investigators who already meet the minimum training standards. Alternatively, the OFC remains available to assist all local governments with fire inspections and investigations. Regional districts may continue to request fire inspection and investigation support from the OFC by following the procedures outlined in the Regional Districts Fire Investigations and Inspections – Procedures document. This process remains unchanged.
Other resources can be found online via the BC government website
- Fire Safety Act Inspector Standard
- Fire Safety Act Investigator Standard
- PLARs for both standards
- Fire Safety Act Questions and Answers
For questions or assistance, please contact the OFC or your Fire Service Advisor.