The Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC), in collaboration with the Single Standard of Fire Safety Working Group, has updated its Regional District Fire Inspection and Fire Investigation Procedures document. The updated document defines more clearly how fire inspections and investigations are to be carried out in regional districts, including the OFC’s role to conduct inspections and investigations on behalf of regional districts at no cost, when requested and in accordance with established procedures.
The Fire Safety Act came into effect on August 1, 2024, introducing a new single standard of fire safety in British Columbia. The Act includes new legislative provisions for local governments, including a requirement to designate fire inspectors and fire investigators. In response to concerns regarding regional district resources, capacity and authority, the OFC committed to performing fire inspections and fire investigations on behalf of regional districts, at no cost, when requested and in accordance with established procedures.
The updated wording in the Procedures document reflects the Province’s long-term commitment to this support. Local authorities, including regional districts, must still designate fire inspectors and investigators that meet the OFC’s fire inspector and fire investigator training standards.
For questions or feedback on the updated Procedures document local authorities are welcome to contact the OFC. The OFC-UBCM Single Standard of Fire Safety Working Group continues to meet on an as-needed basis to support the continued implementation of the Act.