Firefighter training in Haldimand County has evolved dramatically over the years, moving from informal instruction to a structured, standardized system that meets national benchmarks for safety and skill.
According to Marco Reyes, Coordinator of Fire Safety and Training with Haldimand County Emergency Services in Cayuga, today’s firefighters undergo rigorous education and certification based on the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 1001: Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Reyes explained that NFPA 1001 outlines the minimum knowledge and skills required to perform safely and effectively as a firefighter.
“Each firefighter must complete both practical and written testing to achieve certification to this standard,” he said. “It’s recognized across Ontario and North America as the benchmark for firefighter qualification and professionalism.”
Over the last decade, Haldimand County has made major strides toward formalized, standards-based training.
“Starting July 1, 2026, NFPA 1001 certification will be mandatory for all firefighters in Ontario,” said Reyes. “Long before that announcement, we were already training to the NFPA 1001 standard – putting us ahead of the curve.”
“Training to this standard has made our program more structured, consistent across stations, and far more comprehensive than it used to be,” added Reyes.
New recruits today go through a much more extensive program than in the past, but even “many of our veteran members who didn’t originally go through that process have since earned their certification, showing their dedication and professionalism.”
Ongoing training is a key component of the program.
“Training doesn’t stop after you’re certified,” Reyes said. “Our firefighters train once a week at the station level, and those sessions are coordinated through Headquarters to ensure consistency across the County. It’s a serious commitment – but it’s what keeps everyone sharp and ready when the pager goes off.”
New technologies have also changed how firefighters train and operate.
“Technology has made a huge difference,” Reyes said. “We’ve modernized our equipment and our training tools. For example, we recently replaced our self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) fleet, and the new packs include ‘Find My’ locator technology.”
Using this, if a firefighter goes down inside a structure, “we can use a handheld device to pinpoint their location.”
“Visibility in a fire can be next to zero, so that’s a major safety improvement and a big step forward,” he noted.
Partnerships have played a key role in expanding opportunities for local firefighters.
“We maintain a strong partnership with the Ontario Fire College, and we work with neighbouring municipalities on joint training initiatives,” said Reyes. “These collaborations help us keep costs down and expand the types of specialized training available to our members. For example, our recent Ice and Water Rescue courses were delivered through this partnership, and those members are now qualified to train others in-house.”
Reyes said that preparedness remains the foundation of fire safety.
“Preparedness saves lives – plain and simple. For us, that means training. For the public, it means making sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working and testing them regularly. That’s the first and best line of defense in any home emergency. Training and prevention go hand in hand.”
He also praised the dedication of firefighters across the county.
“The pager can go off at any time – day or night – and they answer the call. They miss family events, birthdays, holidays, and still show up to help people in need. The dedication they show, week after week, is something the community should be very proud of.”
