LIBERALS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CREATE PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF FIRE SERVICES
Date: Wednesday October 14, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Today, Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil introduced a bill
in the House of Assembly to establish an Office of Fire Services and
create the position of Fire Commissioner in order to bring consistent
provincial leadership to firefighters across Nova Scotia.

"Firefighters are every bit as important as our police and ambulance
services, but they don’t get the same support from the province,”
says McNeil.

McNeil points out that the lack of structure and responsible management
has left career and volunteer firefighters vulnerable to questionable
conditions, a shortage of resources and in some cases, lawsuits.

"Firefighters have told us they require high level organization to
ensure correct and consistent training for all members," states McNeil.
"There is a need for a provincial Fire Commissioner - right now, garbage
collection is more consistently mandated than fire services."

McNeil explains that the idea was presented to the Liberal Caucus by
the Fire Services Association of Nova Scotia and is supported by
firefighters across Nova Scotia.

“When we introduced this bill last fall, the Fire Services
Association saw it as a positive step to help move fire services in a
new direction. I hope the government chooses to support our
firefighters, who selflessly protect us all.”

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