The office of the Provincial Fire Administrator, Community and Technical Support, Technical & Corporate Services Division, Municipal Affairs has approved the attached notice on the publication of the National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition, National Fire Code – 2023 Alberta Edition and the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020, the link to the free download of the codes coming into force date of May 1, 2024. This Notice is also found on the Fire Codes and Standards website.

If you have questions, please contact, safety.services@gov.ab.ca. or 1-866-421-6929, Attn: Fire Duty Officer for fire code inquires or Attn: Building Duty Officer for building and energy code inquiries.

Dear AFCA Members:

We would like to take this moment to highlight the ALBERTA FIRE SERVICES CORE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK free, online, Risk Management Framework tool for fire departments across Alberta to utilize.

Tool is continuously updated to stay current with relevancy, legislation, and industry best practices.

The tool can be used for:

• Current infrastructure and services (gap analysis) as well as future/potential infrastructure and services (Forecasting Changes). A Gap Analysis assessment is done to critique your current level of service in comparison to the recommendations this Tool provides based on your Risk Profile. You are assessing your community based on current geography, infrastructure, and population. You are selecting your recommended services with the mindset of “we currently do or do not offer this service.

•  A Strategic Plan / Continuous Improvement Plan assessment is done while considering future or potential infrastructure and services changes within your response area or within your department. This can be used to contemplate new risks or hazards in your area, or the training involved in taking on new firefighting or rescue services. You may select your services with the mindset of “this is what we aim to offer in the future.

Did you know:

• The Alberta Fire Services Core Competency tool is updated to include links to Occupational Health and Safety minimums, Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) specific to Alberta provincial legislation, and NFPA Standards.

• At completion of going through the tool it will provide a PDF and MS Word reports that:

  • Community Risk Profile Report
  • Levels of Services & Organizational Systems
  • Competencies Report
• And Templates for Council Packages that include:
  • Package for Council; Road Map
  • RFD Fire Services Review Template
  • Level of Service Support
  • RFD Development of Fire Dept LOS
  • RFD Fire Protection and Emergency Services

Your reports are permanently stored in your Dashboard. You can delete and edit existing reports and create new reports. You can return to the Toolkit and complete a new report:

• at least once a year; or
• when planning the future direction of your fire service; or
• any time your community experiences change or plans to make change that has the potential to affect the fire service.

Have you completed your Community Risk Assessment? Is it time to review and update your current Risk Assessment? As part of the Risk Management Framework, regular reviews are critical to change management, ensuring continuous improvement.

We welcome your feedback!  Please submit a feedback form by visiting this link: Core Competency Framework Tool Feedback

This share this news please use the link below for a sharable PDF.

2023 Promo and Questionnaire

Alberta Fire Chiefs Association

Core Competency Framework Committee

https://abfirechiefs.ca/

The fire service, with its rich history and pivotal role in society, has undergone significant transformations over the decades. In this illuminating article, Chief Bill Purdy, a life member of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association, delves into the intricate tapestry of change within the fire service sector. Drawing from his vast experience and insights, Chief Purdy takes the reader on a journey from the early days of fire brigades to the modern, technologically-driven fire departments of today. This article serves as both a testament to the sacrifices and advancements of fire professionals and an enlightening guide for those keen on understanding the dynamic nature of fire services in our ever-evolving world.

The Evolution of the Fire Service