# J11 Volunteer Firefighters > Fire Service Safety Management System, version 0.3.3 (2026-10-25). The Human Factor. Document FSSMS-JUR-11. > > Canonical: https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters > > Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 with the Adopting Agency Grant (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) > > General information only, not legal, medical or other professional advice. Verify every requirement against the current official text of the law, standards and manufacturer instructions that apply to you. Obtain your own legal review and consult your joint health and safety committee before adopting anything. You adopt, adapt, implement and rely on this material entirely at your own risk and on your own responsibility. Full terms: Terms of Use, thehumanfactor.ca. > **Warning: Law changes; verify before you rely on this page** > > This page summarizes what each jurisdiction’s law requires on this topic as of 2026-10-23. It is general information, not legal advice. Check the official text for your jurisdiction before you adopt or rely on anything here. See [00a Copyright, Licence and Legal Notices](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/copyright-licence-and-legal-notices). ## What this topic covers This page covers how the law treats volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters: whether they are “workers” or “employees” under the occupational health and safety statute, whether they count toward the thresholds for a written program and a joint committee and may sit on it, and whether the right to refuse and protection from reprisal, including removal from the roster, reach them. It also covers how workers’ compensation covers volunteer and career firefighters (who the employer is, how earnings are set, when coverage applies) and what a volunteer must show to benefit from the firefighter presumptions: years of service, regular exposure to fire scenes, and in one province a yearly participation threshold confirmed by the chief. ## Why it matters to a fire department Many Canadian fire departments are volunteer or composite, and volunteers face the same smoke, collapse and trauma as career members. The law does not treat them the same way everywhere. In some provinces an unpaid volunteer is a full worker; in others only a paid-on-call member is; in one an unpaid volunteer counts only for harassment and violence. Compensation coverage usually exists, but often only for members the chief or council has approved, and only for listed activities. The presumptions for cancer, heart injury and post-traumatic stress depend on years of service and regular fire-scene exposure, and Nova Scotia adds a yearly participation threshold confirmed by the chief. When a claim arrives 20 years after the exposure, the department’s membership, attendance and exposure records decide it. Departments that did not keep them have cost their members their claims. ## What every department must cover, wherever it is 1. Know whether your volunteers and paid-on-call members are workers under the OHS statute. Where the text is unclear, treat every member as a worker for the safety management system and ask the regulator for its position in writing (see your jurisdiction below). 2. Know whether volunteers count toward the program and committee thresholds, and seat volunteers on the committee in a composite department ([J05 Joint Committee and Health and Safety Representative](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j05-joint-committee-and-health-and-safety-representative)). 3. Confirm whether the statutory right to refuse and reprisal protection reach your volunteers; give both by policy where the statute does not, and treat removal from the roster, loss of calls, training or officer opportunities after a safety concern as possible reprisal ([J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). 4. Confirm your compensation coverage in writing: that the department is registered, deemed or ordered covered; who the employer is; how a volunteer’s earnings are set; and which activities are covered (responding, training, maintenance, fundraising) (see your jurisdiction below). 5. Keep a membership record for every member: appointment and approval by the chief or council, status (volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time), and every change and date. Several statutes cover only approved members. 6. Keep per-member, per-year records of calls attended, fire-scene exposures and training, and in Nova Scotia the chief’s signed annual confirmation of participation. These are compensation documents ([J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions), [J09 Records Retention](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j09-records-retention)). 7. Keep the hours that support the federal volunteer firefighters’ tax credit, which needs 200 hours a year and a certificate from the chief on request (see Federal below). 8. Know whether the volunteer’s day-job employer has a return-to-work duty after a fire service injury, and tell members (see your jurisdiction below). 9. Keep these records for decades and beyond the life of the department’s record system; a cancer claim can arrive long after a member has left. ## At a glance | Jurisdiction | Volunteers are OHS workers? | Count toward committee threshold; may sit? | Compensation coverage of volunteers | What a volunteer must show for the presumptions | Verified | |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---| | British Columbia | Yes, “with or without remuneration” | May sit; counting not stated | Workers by definition; brigades register and pay premiums | Minimum service; regular fire-scene exposure throughout | Partly | | Alberta | Yes, including unpaid | Unpaid not counted; may sit (inference) | By Board order; appointed members who must attend fires, drills and training | Minimum period; regular fire-scene exposure throughout | Yes | | Saskatchewan | Paid members yes; unpaid only for harassment and violence | Not addressed | Member of a municipal volunteer fire brigade | Volunteer member for the prescribed period; regularly exposed | Partly | | Manitoba | Yes (interpretation) | Not excluded; counted by average daily presence | Casual emergency worker approved by the chief or municipality | Minimum cumulative service; regular exposure | Yes | | Ontario | Paid (honorarium, per call) yes; unpaid no | Paid members may sit (interpretation) | Member approved by the chief; municipality is deemed employer | Total years of volunteer service; concurrent periods counted once | Partly | | Quebec | Yes if under a contract of employment, even unpaid; part-time are workers | Part-time may be representatives (interpretation) | Volunteers only if a statement is filed; part-time employees covered | Full-time or part-time operational firefighter employed by a municipality | Partly | | New Brunswick | Probably (broad “employee”) | Not addressed | Member approved by the chief; Firefighters’ Compensation Act | Minimum service; regular exposure (not forest fires) | Partly | | Nova Scotia | Unsettled; this system treats them as employees | This system counts and seats them | Deemed workers; mandatory since 2020-10-30 | At least 20 per cent participation each year, confirmed by the chief | Partly | | Prince Edward Island | Likely (person in a workplace “for any purpose”) | Not addressed | “Worker” includes a volunteer firefighter | Minimum period of fire-hazard exposure; service records on request | Partly | | Newfoundland and Labrador | Not addressed | Not addressed | Municipality applies; members certified; annual count | Regular fire-scene exposure; employer reports fire scenes and years | Partly | | Yukon | Yes, “a volunteer” | Not barred; counting not addressed | Designated Government of Yukon workers | Minimum years; volunteers covered after 2014-03-27 | Yes | | Northwest Territories | Yes; count toward 20; may sit | Yes | Deemed workers; territory is employer unless municipality pays | Minimum years now; 2 years from 2027-01-01 | Yes | | Nunavut | Yes | Yes | Deemed workers; territory is employer unless municipality pays | Minimum years | Yes | | Federal | Not applicable (career services) | Not applicable | Federal employees under provincial rules | Provincial rules; tax credit needs 200 hours | Yes | ## British Columbia **Law.** Workers Compensation Act, ss. 1, 13, 34, 47, 135, 139 and 140 [(Workers Compensation Act \[BC\], 2019, ss. 1, 13, 34, 47, 135, 139-140)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-bc); Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, ss. 31.1 and 31.3 [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[BC\], 2026, ss. 31.1, 31.3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-bc). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” includes a firefighter, and “firefighter” means “a member of a fire brigade, working with or without remuneration, who is assigned primarily to (a) fire suppression duties … (b) investigation duties” (s. 1); Part 2 adopts the definition (s. 13). Since 2026-10-01, Part 31 also covers “fire personnel”, workers other than firefighters “employed, with or without remuneration” in firefighting, inspection, investigation, equipment maintenance, training and similar duties, and “fire department” includes a brigade run by “a board, society or commission” on behalf of a municipality, regional district or improvement district [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[BC\], 2026, s. 31.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-bc). - **Committee.** A fire department needs its own joint committee or representative whenever the employer needs one [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[BC\], 2026, s. 31.3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-bc). Volunteers can be worker members, chosen from workers who do not exercise managerial functions [(Workers Compensation Act \[BC\], 2019, s. 34)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-bc). Whether they count toward the 20 workers “regularly employed” is not stated. - **Refusal and reprisal.** Volunteers have the full right and the protection from “prohibited action”, which includes suspension, dismissal and “the discontinuation or elimination of the job of the worker” (s. 47); removal from the roster after a refusal fits (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** Volunteers are workers by definition; society and volunteer brigades must register and pay premiums (WorkSafeBC, n.d.-e). - **Presumptions.** The cancer presumption applies to a firefighter with the minimum cumulative service for the cancer who was “regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene” throughout that period (s. 140); the heart presumption needs employment as a firefighter at or just before disablement and regular exposure, with no 24-hour window (s. 139); the mental disorder presumption covers firefighters as an eligible occupation (s. 135). There is no participation percentage. **Fire-service nuance.** - **2026 change for society brigades.** From 2026-10-01, brigades run by a society or board for a local government carry the Part 31 duties in full, including the separate committee, so their volunteer members gain the same protections as municipal ones. - **Exposure records.** “Regularly exposed” is a question of fact; keep a per-member log of fire-scene attendance, including for paid-on-call and volunteer members. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated to 2026-10-13; Regulation to 2026-10-20; WorkSafeBC page read). How volunteers count toward the committee threshold is not confirmed. ## Alberta **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, ss. 1(tt), 13 and 17 to 19 [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[AB\], 2020, ss. 1, 13, 17-19)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-ab); Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, s. 1(2)-(3) [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[AB\], 2021, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-ab); Workers’ Compensation Act, ss. 14(3)(b), 24.1 and 24.2 [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[AB\], 2000, ss. 14, 24.1-24.2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-ab); WCB policy [(Workers’ Compensation Board-Alberta, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-board-alberta-2026). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” includes “a person who performs or supplies services for no monetary compensation” (s. 1(tt)), so volunteer firefighters are workers. - **Committee thresholds.** For the committee (20) and representative (5) thresholds, “regularly employs” does not include workers to whom monetary compensation is not paid [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[AB\], 2021, s. 1(2)-(3))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-ab). Unpaid volunteers therefore do not count; members paid per call or by honorarium arguably do. Nothing bars volunteers from sitting as worker members (inference from s. 13(4)). - **Refusal and reprisal.** As workers, volunteers have the s. 17 right and the s. 18 protection, with complaints to an officer within 180 days (s. 19). Removal from the roster after a refusal is disciplinary action in substance (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** The Board may by order cover “persons who are engaged on a voluntary basis as firemen … whether or not remuneration is paid” [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[AB\], 2000, s. 14(3)(b))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-ab). Board policy treats volunteer firefighters as workers of the municipality when they are appointed members of the organized fire brigade who must attend fires, drills and training, or when a fire chief or deputy asks them to help at a fire; earnings are based on their regular employment, or otherwise on the value of the service [(Workers’ Compensation Board-Alberta, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-board-alberta-2026). - **Presumptions.** “Part-time firefighter” means “a casual, volunteer or part-time member of a fire protection service of a municipality or Metis settlement” (s. 24.1(1)(c)). The cancer presumption applies only to a worker who has been a firefighter for the prescribed minimum period “and who has been regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene, other than a forest-fire scene, throughout that period” (s. 24.1(3)). A myocardial infarction “within 24 hours after being dispatched or attending at an emergency response, whichever is later” is presumed work-related (s. 24.1(7)). Post-traumatic stress and traumatic psychological injury are presumed for first responders, including part-time and volunteer firefighters (s. 24.2). **Fire-service nuance.** - **“Throughout that period”.** A volunteer must show regular fire-scene exposure across every year of the minimum period, not just the total years on the roster (interpretation). Attendance and exposure records per member per year are the evidence. - **Appointment matters.** Coverage follows appointment to the brigade; keep the council or chief’s appointment record for every member. **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (OHS Act consolidated to 2025-06-11; OHS Regulation as filed 2021; compensation Act to 2025-12-18; WCB policy manual downloaded). Whether paid-on-call members count toward thresholds is not confirmed. ## Saskatchewan **Law.** The Saskatchewan Employment Act, ss. 3-1(1)(gg), 3-1(6) and 3-22 [(The Saskatchewan Employment Act \[SK\], 2013, ss. 3-1, 3-22)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-saskatchewan-employment-act-sk); The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, s. 32-2 [(The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 \[SK\], 2021, s. 32-2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-2020-sk); The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, ss. 2(1) and 28 to 28.1 [(The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 \[SK\], 2013, ss. 2, 28-28.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-2013-sk); The Workers’ Compensation Miscellaneous Regulations, s. 3(gg) [(The Workers’ Compensation Miscellaneous Regulations \[SK\], 2023, s. 3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workers-compensation-miscellaneous-regulations-sk). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** A “worker” is an individual “engaged in the service of an employer” [(The Saskatchewan Employment Act \[SK\], 2013, s. 3-1(1)(gg))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-saskatchewan-employment-act-sk). Unpaid volunteers count as workers only for the harassment and violence provisions (s. 3-1(6), added in 2023). The firefighter Part applies to firefighters engaged in emergency operations “on a full-time or part-time basis” [(The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 \[SK\], 2021, s. 32-2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-2020-sk), which reaches paid and paid-on-call members. - **Committee.** Required at 10 or more workers (s. 3-22(1)); worker members are elected by the workers they represent (s. 3-22(4)). Whether unpaid volunteers count or may sit is not addressed; the likely reading is that they do not count. - **Refusal and reprisal.** Paid members have the s. 3-31 right and s. 3-35 protection; unpaid volunteers do not ([J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** “Worker” includes “a member of a municipal volunteer fire brigade” [(The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 \[SK\], 2013, s. 2(1))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-2013-sk); voluntary workers are otherwise excluded, but the exclusion does not apply to municipal fire brigade members (WCMR s. 3(gg)). - **Presumptions.** The cancer and heart presumptions apply to a worker who has been “a volunteer or full-time member of a fire department” for the prescribed period and was “regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene” (s. 28(3)(a)); lung cancer only for non-smokers (s. 28(3)(b)). An injury to the heart that manifests within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response is covered without a minimum period (s. 28(1)). A psychological injury after a traumatic event is presumed for every worker (s. 28.1). There is no participation percentage. **Fire-service nuance.** - **Policy has to close the gap.** An unpaid volunteer can be injured in the same fire as a paid-on-call member, be covered for compensation, and yet have no statutory refusal right or protection from discriminatory action. Give both by department policy. - **Wildland firefighters.** A 2025 amendment extended the presumption to wildland firefighters, reported in force 2025-08-01. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated to 2025-12-31; regulations last updated 2021-04-01; compensation Act to 2025-08-07). Committee counting for volunteers and the wildland amendment are not confirmed. ## Manitoba **Law.** The Workplace Safety and Health Act, ss. 1 and 40 [(The Workplace Safety and Health Act \[MB\], 2026, ss. 1, 40)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workplace-safety-and-health-act-mb); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 1.1 [(Workplace Safety and Health Regulation \[MB\], 2026, s. 1.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-health-regulation-mb); The Workers Compensation Act, ss. 1(4)-(5), 4(5.1)-(5.8) and 49.3 [(The Workers Compensation Act \[MB\], 2026, ss. 1, 4, 49.3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-mb); Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking Regulation, Man. Reg. 160/2005, s. 2 [(Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking: Firefighters and OFC Personnel Regulation \[MB\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-minimum-periods-of-employment-and-non-smoking-firefighters-and-ofc-personnel-regulation-mb). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” includes a person employed “whether for gain or reward, or hope of gain or reward or not” [(The Workplace Safety and Health Act \[MB\], 2026, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workplace-safety-and-health-act-mb), and a “firefighter” is “a worker who provides” fire suppression, search and rescue, emergency medical care or hazardous materials response at an emergency, with no distinction between paid and volunteer [(Workplace Safety and Health Regulation \[MB\], 2026, s. 1.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-health-regulation-mb). Volunteers are therefore workers (interpretation; no tribunal decision checked). - **Committee.** Required where 20 or more workers are regularly employed, counted by average daily presence [(The Workplace Safety and Health Act \[MB\], 2026, s. 40)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workplace-safety-and-health-act-mb); worker members must not be associated with management (s. 40(8)). Nothing bars volunteers; an all-volunteer department may not reach an average of 20. - **Refusal and reprisal.** The s. 43 right and the s. 42 protection apply, with referral to an officer within six months; removal from the roster after a refusal or a safety report is a reprisal in substance (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** A “casual emergency worker” includes a member of a municipal fire brigade available on a casual basis “with or without remuneration” whose “membership has been approved by the chief or the municipality”, and a person helping at a fire under a fire guardian, conservation officer, chief or the Fire Commissioner [(The Workers Compensation Act \[MB\], 2026, s. 1(4)(a), (c))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-mb); the municipality is the deemed employer (s. 1(5)(a)). - **Presumptions.** The 19 cancers apply to full-time and part-time firefighters, part-time meaning a casual, volunteer or part-time member of a municipal fire brigade, and to wildfire firefighters and Office of the Fire Commissioner personnel, with a minimum cumulative period of employment and regular fire-scene exposure (s. 4(5.1)-(5.3)); the minimum periods apply equally to part-time firefighters (M.R. 160/2005 s. 2). Heart injury within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response (s. 4(5.6)); post-traumatic stress for all workers (s. 4(5.8)). There is no participation percentage. - **Return to work.** The re-employment duty excludes casual emergency workers (s. 49.3(2)(a)); a volunteer has no statutory right back to the fire department. **Fire-service nuance.** - **Approval is the gateway.** Coverage depends on membership approved by the chief or the municipality. Record the approval, and the end date when a member leaves. - **Volunteer vehicle lights.** A 2025 amendment changed the rules for lights on volunteers’ personal vehicles; see [J30 Emergency Vehicles, Drivers and Licensing](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j30-emergency-vehicles-drivers-and-licensing). **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act, Regulation and compensation Act consolidated to 2026-10-20; M.R. 160/2005 current version read). Volunteer worker status is an interpretation of the definition. ## Ontario **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, ss. 1(1), 9 and 50 [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[ON\], 1990, ss. 1, 9, 50)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-on); O. Reg. 714/94, s. 2 [(Firefighters: Protective Equipment \[ON\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-protective-equipment-on); Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, ss. 2(1), 14, 15.1, 40, 41, 70 and 78(3) [(Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 \[ON\], 1997, ss. 2, 14, 15.1, 40-41, 70, 78)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-insurance-act-1997-on); O. Reg. 253/07, ss. 2, 3 and 5 [(Part I of the Act: Firefighters and Fire Investigators \[ON\], 2026, ss. 2-3, 5)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-part-i-of-the-act-firefighters-and-fire-investigators-on). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** A “worker” performs work or supplies services “for monetary compensation” (s. 1(1)); unpaid persons are workers only if prescribed, and none is prescribed for firefighters. Volunteers paid an honorarium or per-call rate are in practice workers (interpretation). The firefighter equipment regulation applies “to every firefighter and to every employer of a firefighter” using the fire statute’s definition, which includes volunteers [(Firefighters: Protective Equipment \[ON\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-protective-equipment-on). - **Committee.** Paid volunteers who are non-managerial workers at the workplace may sit (s. 9(7)) and should be counted toward the 20-worker threshold (interpretation; no ministry statement found). - **Refusal and reprisal.** The firefighter limit in s. 43 applies to volunteers. Reprisal protection (s. 50) protects “workers”, so paid-on-call members are covered and unpaid volunteers may not be (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** “Worker” includes “a member of a municipal volunteer fire brigade whose membership has been approved by the chief of the fire department” [(Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 \[ON\], 1997, s. 2(1))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-insurance-act-1997-on); the municipality is the deemed employer (s. 70) and sets each member’s deemed earnings in its annual statement (s. 78(3)). - **Presumptions.** The cancer presumptions cover full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters and fire investigators [(Part I of the Act: Firefighters and Fire Investigators \[ON\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-part-i-of-the-act-firefighters-and-fire-investigators-on) who “served as a volunteer firefighter” or were employed for a total of at least 10, 15 or 20 years depending on the cancer (s. 5). All periods count, “whether consecutive or non-consecutive”, and a period served in two capacities at once “shall be counted only once” (s. 5(6)). A heart injury while, or within 24 hours of, attending a fire scene or “actively participating in a training exercise … that involves a simulated fire emergency” is presumed (s. 3; [Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 \[ON\], 1997, s. 15.1(1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-insurance-act-1997-on)). Post-traumatic stress is presumed for volunteer firefighters [(Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 \[ON\], 1997, s. 14)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-insurance-act-1997-on). There is no participation percentage. - **Return to work.** For volunteers the deemed employer need not re-employ; the day-job employer must, and the municipality pays the costs [(Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 \[ON\], 1997, ss. 40(4)-(4.1), 41(16)-(17))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-safety-and-insurance-act-1997-on). **Fire-service nuance.** - **Approval by the chief.** Compensation coverage depends on the chief’s approval of membership; record it. - **Training counts for the heart presumption.** Log live-fire training attendance per member, because a heart injury within 24 hours of a simulated fire emergency is covered. - **Unpaid members.** A department that pays nothing should extend refusal and reprisal protection by policy. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (Acts and regulations consolidated to 2026-10-20). Worker status of paid volunteers and their committee eligibility are interpretations. ## Quebec **Law.** Act respecting occupational health and safety, ss. 1 and 72 [(Act respecting occupational health and safety \[QC\], 2026, ss. 1, 72)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-act-respecting-occupational-health-and-safety-qc); Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases, ss. 2, 12.0.1 and 13 [(Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases \[QC\], 2026, ss. 2, 12.0.1, 13)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-act-respecting-industrial-accidents-and-occupational-diseases-qc); Regulation respecting occupational diseases, Schedule A [(Regulation respecting occupational diseases \[QC\], 2026, Sch. A)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-regulation-respecting-occupational-diseases-qc). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** A “worker” works for an employer “under a contract of employment or a contract of apprenticeship, even without remuneration” (s. 1). Part-time firefighters work under a contract of employment, so they are workers and may be designated committee representatives as workers of the establishment (s. 72) (interpretation). - **Refusal and reprisal.** Part-time firefighters, as workers, have the s. 12 right, limited by s. 13, and the s. 30 protection, with a complaint to the CNESST within 30 days; a sanction within six months of exercising the right is presumed to be a reprisal ([Act respecting occupational health and safety \[QC\], 2026, ss. 12-13, 30, 227](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-act-respecting-occupational-health-and-safety-qc); [Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases \[QC\], 2026, s. 255](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-act-respecting-industrial-accidents-and-occupational-diseases-qc)). Removal from the roster after a refusal fits (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** A “worker” is a natural person working for remuneration under a contract of employment (LATMP s. 2). Volunteers are covered only if the user of their services files a statement with the CNESST, and even then they have no right to return to work (s. 13). Persons whose help a firefighter accepts or requires during an event are deemed workers of the fire service authority (s. 12.0.1). - **Presumptions.** The cancer presumption applies to a “full-time or part-time operational firefighter, employed by a city or municipality”, exposed to fire smoke; “operational” means assigned to firefighting, cause investigation, driving the trucks or operating pumpers or aerial devices (Sch. A). Post-traumatic stress is presumed for any worker with qualifying traumatic exposure (Sch. A). There is no heart presumption. **Fire-service nuance.** - **Paid “pompiers volontaires” are part-time employees.** A service that pays its on-call firefighters makes them workers under both Acts; a truly unpaid volunteer needs the s. 13 statement to be covered at all. - **Employer scope.** “Employed by a city or municipality” may exclude firefighters of an intermunicipal board or a private service. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (Acts consolidated to 2026-08-12; regulation to 2026-07-01). The status of part-time firefighters as committee representatives and the employer-scope question are not confirmed. ## New Brunswick **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 1 [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NB\], 1983, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nb); General Regulation 91-191, s. 2 [(General Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NB\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-general-regulation-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nb); Workers’ Compensation Act, ss. 1 and 7.1 [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 1973, ss. 1, 7.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nb); Firefighters’ Compensation Act, ss. 1, 4, 5 and 41 [(Firefighters’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 2009, ss. 1, 4-5, 41)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-compensation-act-nb). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Employee” includes “a person at or in a place of employment for any purpose in connection therewith” (s. 1), and a “firefighter” is “an employee who provides fire protection services to the public from a fire department within a local government or rural district” [(General Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NB\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-general-regulation-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nb). On the text, volunteers appear to be employees (interpretation). - **Committee.** Whether volunteers count toward the 20 employees “regularly employed” or may sit is not addressed. - **Refusal and reprisal.** If volunteers are employees, they have the s. 19 right and protection from discriminatory action, defined to include suspension and a change in hours, with a complaint to the Commission within one year [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NB\], 1983, ss. 1, 19, 24-25)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nb). Removal from the roster fits that definition (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** “Worker” includes a member of a municipal volunteer fire brigade whose membership is approved by the chief [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 1973, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nb). Under the Firefighters’ Compensation Act a “firefighter” is a person “employed or serves as a firefighter with a municipality or rural community or who serves as a firefighter with a fire brigade that provides fire protection services in a rural district or in a rural community” (FCA s. 1); a volunteer’s earnings are based on their regular occupation, capped at maximum annual earnings (s. 4). Benefits under that Act are paid only where there is no entitlement under the Workers’ Compensation Act (s. 5(2)). - **Presumptions.** A heart attack within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response scene (FCA s. 5(1)(a)); 10 cancers with minimum service and regular exposure “to the hazards of a fire scene … other than a forest fire scene” (s. 5(1)(b)); post-traumatic stress for an “emergency response worker”, which includes volunteer firefighters [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 1973, s. 7.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nb). There is no participation percentage. - **Job protection.** No penalizing a firefighter employed by the municipality or rural community, with reinstatement after at least one year of employment (FCA s. 41); how this applies to volunteers is not settled. **Fire-service nuance.** - **Approval matters.** Record the chief’s approval of every member’s membership. - **Reform.** WorkSafeNB consulted in April 2024 on merging the Firefighters’ Compensation Act into the Workers’ Compensation Act and on expanding the cancer list; no expansion had been made by the regulation’s consolidation of 2025-06-06, and a review of both Acts is reported to be under way; see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions). **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (OHS Act consolidated to 2024-06-07; regulation to 2026-06-30; compensation Acts to 2025-06-06). OHS status and committee counting of volunteers are interpretations. ## Nova Scotia **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 3 [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NS\], 1996, s. 3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-ns); Workers’ Compensation Act (Workers’ Compensation Act \[NS\], 1994-95); Workers’ Compensation General Regulations [(Workers’ Compensation General Regulations \[NS\], 2025)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-general-regulations-ns); Firefighters’ Compensation Regulations, ss. 2 and 3 [(Firefighters’ Compensation Regulations \[NS\], 2025, ss. 2-3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-compensation-regulations-ns). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** The Act’s definition of “employee” as it applies to volunteers was not read. This system treats a municipal or registered volunteer department as a workplace, the municipality or registered department as the employer, and volunteers as employees, because the department directs their work and they are deemed workers for compensation. - **Committee.** On that basis this system counts volunteers toward the 5- and 20-employee thresholds and seats them on the committee in composite departments. - **Refusal and reprisal.** The right applies with no firefighter carve-out, subject to the general limits for danger to another person and danger inherent in the work [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NS\], 1996, s. 43(9))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-ns); this system treats removal from the roster, loss of a position or exclusion from calls after a refusal, report or complaint as a reprisal ([J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** Volunteer firefighters are deemed workers with deemed earnings set by regulation; the municipality or registered volunteer department carries the coverage, mandatory since 2020-10-30. Coverage of career firefighters by a municipality depends on whether it is assessed or self-insured. - **The 20 per cent rule.** A member of a volunteer fire department qualifies for the cancer and heart presumptions only if they took part in at least 20 per cent of the department’s activities (fire calls and training) in each year of the qualifying period, with written confirmation of active status on the Board-approved form signed by the chief or deputy chief [(Firefighters’ Compensation Regulations \[NS\], 2025, s. 3)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-compensation-regulations-ns). - **Other presumptions.** 19 cancers with minimum service (s. 2) and a heart attack within 24 hours after attending an emergency response scene; post-traumatic stress is presumed for front-line and emergency response workers, including volunteer firefighters (Workers’ Compensation Act \[NS\], 1994-95, s. 12A). **Fire-service nuance.** - **Records decide claims.** A volunteer who cannot prove 20 per cent participation for a year loses the presumption for that year. Keep a per-member, per-year participation report, signed by the chief on the Board’s form, and keep it permanently. - **Training counts toward participation.** Training sessions are department activities for the 20 per cent test; record attendance at every session. **Status.** Partly verified. The 20 per cent rule was read in the regulation on 2026-10-22. Volunteer OHS status, committee counting, the 2020 coverage date and the compensation sections could not be read in the official text. ## Prince Edward Island **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 1(x) [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[PE\], 1988, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-pe); Workers Compensation Act, ss. 1(1), 2.1, 6(4.1)-(4.5) and 84.1 [(Workers Compensation Act \[PE\], 1988, ss. 1, 2.1, 6, 84.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-pe); Workers Compensation Act General Regulations, s. 9.1 [(Workers Compensation Act General Regulations \[PE\], 2025, s. 9.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-general-regulations-pe). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” means “a person employed in a workplace” or “a person in a workplace for any purpose in connection therewith” (s. 1(x)), which likely captures volunteers; whether they count toward thresholds or may sit on the committee is not addressed. - **Refusal and reprisal.** If volunteers are workers, they have the s. 28 right and the s. 30 protection, enforced by an arbitrator on a complaint to the Board [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[PE\], 1988, ss. 28, 30-31)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-pe) (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** “Worker” includes “a volunteer firefighter”, and “firefighter” means “a full-time, part-time, casual or volunteer member of a fire department or fire brigade” [(Workers Compensation Act \[PE\], 1988, s. 1(1))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-pe). The municipality or organization operating the department is the volunteer’s employer (s. 2.1(1)). The assessment provisions do not apply to that employer, and the return-to-work and re-employment provisions do not apply to volunteers or their employer (s. 2.1(2)). A volunteer’s wage loss is based on earnings from their regular job [(Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island, 2025a)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-board-of-prince-edward-island-2025a). - **Presumptions.** The cancer presumption applies to firefighters and fire inspectors exposed “to the hazards of a fire, other than a forest fire or wild fire”, who served the minimum period (s. 84.1), for 19 cancers [(Workers Compensation Act General Regulations \[PE\], 2025, s. 9.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-general-regulations-pe), for accident dates from 2019-01-01; the WCB may require service records (Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island, 2025c). A heart attack, cardiac arrest or arrhythmia within 24 hours of responding to an emergency call or dispatch is presumed [(Workers Compensation Act \[PE\], 1988, s. 6(4.5))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-pe); the psychological presumption covers every worker (s. 6(4.1)-(4.4)). There is no participation percentage. **Fire-service nuance.** - **No assessments, no experience rating.** Because volunteer fire employers pay no assessments, a department cannot rely on premium incentives to fund its volunteer program (see [J36 External Verification and Funding](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j36-external-verification-and-funding)). - **Service records on request.** Keep membership and response records for every member; the WCB can ask for them. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (OHS Act consolidated to 2023-08-01; compensation Act to 2026-05-29; General Regulations to 2025-06-21; WCB FAQ read). Volunteer OHS status is an interpretation. ## Newfoundland and Labrador **Law.** Occupational Health and Safety Act, s. 2(m) [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NL\], 1990, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nl); Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, s. 2(1)(q) [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 \[NL\], 2026, s. 2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-2012-nl); Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022, ss. 108 to 113 (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022 \[NL\], 2022, ss. 108-113); Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023, ss. 3, 4, 12 and 13 (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023 \[NL\], 2023, ss. 3-4, 12-13). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** A “worker” is “a person engaged in an occupation” [(Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NL\], 1990, s. 2(m))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-act-nl), and an occupation is an “employment, business, calling or pursuit” within the National Occupational Classification [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 \[NL\], 2026, s. 2(1)(q))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-2012-nl). Neither text includes or excludes volunteer firefighters or addresses committee membership. - **Refusal and reprisal.** Because the Act does not say whether volunteers are workers, give the s. 45 right and the s. 49 protection by policy, and treat removal from the roster after a refusal as discriminatory action (Occupational Health and Safety Act \[NL\], 1990, ss. 45, 49; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** The municipality applies and WorkplaceNL admits the department or brigade; members “certified as that by an official of the municipality” are workers and the municipality is their employer. Coverage runs from leaving home or work to respond until the response is complete, and includes assigned duties, equipment maintenance on department premises and “educational and training sessions which have been sanctioned by the Office of the Fire Commissioner”, but not fundraising. The employer files the count of certified members every year before 1 January (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023 \[NL\], 2023, ss. 3-4). - **Presumptions.** “Firefighter” includes a member of a municipal, regional or Inuit Community Government fire department (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022 \[NL\], 2022, s. 108). The cancer presumption needs regular exposure “to the hazards of a fire scene, other than a forest fire scene” (s. 109(2)(b)) and the minimum service for the cancer (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023 \[NL\], 2023, s. 12), and the employer must report the number of fire scenes attended and the years of service (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023 \[NL\], 2023, s. 13). The original cancers apply to volunteers from 2017-01-01 (career from 2015-12-14) (s. 111). A heart injury within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response is covered with no service minimum, volunteers included; post-traumatic stress is presumed for all workers (s. 112). **Fire-service nuance.** - **No application, no coverage.** A volunteer department whose municipality has not applied, or whose members are not certified, has no compensation coverage. Confirm the annual filing every year. - **The employer reports the fire scenes.** The department, not the member, has to produce the count of fire scenes attended; keep it per member from the first call. **Status.** Partly verified on 2026-10-23 (OHS Act consolidated through the 2024-03-01 amendments; Regulations to 2026-09-24; compensation Act through SNL 2026, c. 8; compensation regulations 2023). Volunteer OHS status is not addressed in the law. ## Yukon **Law.** Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act, ss. 25, 47, 53, 54, 79, 82, 94, 95 and 118 [(Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act \[YT\], 2021, ss. 25, 47, 53-54, 79, 82, 94-95, 118)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-safety-and-compensation-act-yt); Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, s. 11.02 [(Workplace Health and Safety Regulations \[YT\], 2022, s. 11.02)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-health-and-safety-regulations-yt). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** In Part 3, “worker” includes “a volunteer”, and an employer may employ workers “whether paid or unpaid” (s. 25). The firefighting Part applies to “volunteer firefighting in municipal service” [(Workplace Health and Safety Regulations \[YT\], 2022, s. 11.02)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workplace-health-and-safety-regulations-yt). Nothing bars volunteers from serving as worker representatives; how they count toward the “regularly employed” thresholds is not addressed. - **Refusal and reprisal.** Volunteers have the s. 47 right, limited by s. 47(3), and the s. 53 protection, with a complaint to the board within 21 days (ss. 47, 53-54). Removal from the roster after a refusal is a reprisal in substance (interpretation; see [J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** “Members of a volunteer fire brigade” are designated workers of the Government of Yukon (s. 82(a)), as are persons required by a competent authority to help fight a fire (s. 82(b)); optional coverage is available for other volunteers (s. 79(4)). - **Presumptions.** The cancer presumption covers full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, and applies to part-time and volunteer firefighters after 2014-03-27; a claim must be filed within 12 months (s. 94(3)-(4)). A cardiac arrest within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response is presumed for all firefighters, including wildland (s. 94(5)); post-traumatic stress is presumed for all workers (s. 95). The board counts service in other jurisdictions (Yukon Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board, n.d.-b). - **Return to work.** The re-employment duty excludes s. 82 designees such as volunteer brigade members (s. 118). **Fire-service nuance.** - **Territorial brigades.** Volunteer brigades in unincorporated communities are run by the territorial government, which is also their compensation employer. - **Cancer list.** The 19 cancers and minimum years come from the board’s page; the regulation itself was not read. **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act as amended to SY 2024, c. 6; Part 11 to 2022-09-30; board page read). Threshold counting and the cancer regulation are not confirmed. ## Northwest Territories **Law.** Safety Act, ss. 1, 13 and 22 [(Safety Act \[NT\], 1988, ss. 1, 13, 22)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nt); Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, s. 38 [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations \[NT\], 2024, s. 38)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-nt); Workers’ Compensation Act, ss. 4(1)(b), 8(4)-(5) and 14.1 [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NT\], 2007, ss. 4, 8, 14.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nt); An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2, S.N.W.T. 2026, c. 13 (An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2 \[NT\], 2026). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” means a person “engaged in work for an employer, whether working with or without remuneration” [(Safety Act \[NT\], 1988, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nt). Volunteers count toward the 20-worker thresholds and may be worker members of the committee [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations \[NT\], 2024, s. 38)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-nt). The firefighter code of practice says employers with 20 or more workers, “including fire departments”, must establish a committee [(WSCC, 2017)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-wscc-2017). - **Refusal and reprisal.** Volunteers have the “unusual danger” right [(Safety Act \[NT\], 1988, s. 13)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nt); reprisal is an offence enforced by prosecution (s. 22), so give members a fast internal route for reprisal concerns, including removal from the roster ([J07 Right to Refuse and Reprisal Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j07-right-to-refuse-and-reprisal-protection)). - **Compensation.** Persons “engaged in, or training for, rescue or recovery services, ambulance services or firefighting services” are deemed workers [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NT\], 2007, s. 4(1)(b))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nt); the territorial government is the deemed employer unless the municipality pays the cost of the service (s. 8(4)-(5)). - **Presumptions now.** A cardiac arrest within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response, and 14 cancers with minimum service, for firefighters other than those who exclusively fight forest fires (s. 14.1). - **Presumptions from 2027-01-01.** Any prescribed cancer after two years as a firefighter; heart disease and heart injury where the firefighter was “regularly exposed … to the hazards of a fire scene”; post-traumatic stress for front-line and emergency response workers, including firefighters; and fire inspection and investigation duties counted as firefighting (S.N.W.T. 2026, c. 13). **Fire-service nuance.** - **Start the records now.** The 2027 changes cut the cancer service minimum to two years; service, exposure and baseline medical records begun now will support claims under the new rules. **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act version in force since 2023-10-06; Regulations to 2024-09-26; compensation Act version since 2023-03-30; Bill 48 certified text read). The regulation prescribing the 27 cancers had not been found by 2026-10-23. ## Nunavut **Law.** Safety Act, s. 1 [(Safety Act \[NU\], 1988, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nu); Workers’ Compensation Act, ss. 4(1)(b), 8(4)-(5) and 14.1 [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NU\], 2021, ss. 4, 8, 14.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nu); Firefighters’ Presumption Regulations [(Firefighters’ Presumption Regulations \[NU\], 2021)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-firefighters-presumption-regulations-nu). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** “Worker” includes a person working “with or without remuneration” [(Safety Act \[NU\], 1988, s. 1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nu), so volunteers count and may sit as worker members. - **Refusal and reprisal.** As in the Northwest Territories: the “unusual danger” right and reprisal as an offence [(Safety Act \[NU\], 1988, ss. 13, 22)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-safety-act-nu). - **Compensation.** Deemed workers [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[NU\], 2021, s. 4(1)(b))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-workers-compensation-act-nu); the Government of Nunavut is the deemed employer unless the municipality pays the cost (s. 8(4)-(5)). - **Presumptions.** A cardiac arrest within 24 hours after attendance at an emergency response, and the same 14 cancers and minimum periods as the Northwest Territories (s. 14.1; Firefighters’ Presumption Regulations). There is no post-traumatic stress presumption and none pending. **Fire-service nuance.** - **Nunavut has not followed the 2027 Northwest Territories changes**; check each year whether it does. **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Safety Act consolidation to 2016-06-19; compensation Act consolidation 2021-07-01; presumption regulations with the 2016 and 2021 amendments). ## Federal **Law.** Canada Labour Code, ss. 123(3) and 123.2 [(Canada Labour Code \[CA\], 1985, ss. 123, 123.2)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-canada-labour-code-ca); Government Employees Compensation Act, s. 4 [(Government Employees Compensation Act \[CA\], 1985, s. 4)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-government-employees-compensation-act-ca); Income Tax Act, s. 118.06 [(Income Tax Act \[CA\], 1985, s. 118.06)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-income-tax-act-ca). **What must be covered.** - **OHS status.** Part II covers employees; persons who are paid are presumed to be employees, and unpaid learners are covered, but there is no provision for volunteers (ss. 123(3), 123.2). Federal fire services are career services. - **Compensation.** Federal employees are compensated at the rates and under the conditions of the province where they usually work, decided by the provincial board (GECA s. 4), so provincial presumptions apply to them. - **Volunteer firefighters’ tax credit (applies to volunteers everywhere).** A volunteer who performs at least 200 hours in the year of “eligible volunteer firefighting services” (or eligible search and rescue volunteer services) may claim a credit on \$6,000. The services are those provided “in the individual’s capacity as a volunteer firefighter to a fire department”, mainly responding to and being on call for emergency calls, attending meetings and required training; services to a department the person also serves in a non-volunteer capacity are excluded. On request, the person must provide a certificate from the fire chief or a delegated official of each department attesting to the hours [(Income Tax Act \[CA\], 1985, s. 118.06)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j11-volunteer-firefighters#ref-income-tax-act-ca). **Fire-service nuance.** - **The chief certifies hours.** A department that records calls, on-call time, meetings and training per member can certify the 200 hours; one that does not leaves its members exposed when the tax authority asks. **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Code and Income Tax Act consolidated to 2026-09-30). The application of provincial presumptions to federal employees rests on case law not read. ## Chapters that rely on this topic **Front matter** - [00 Fire Service Safety Management System - Program HQ](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/program-hq) **01 Foundations** - [01 Program Architecture](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/program-architecture) **02 Governance** - [01 Roles and Responsibilities](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/roles-and-responsibilities) **03 Assessment** - [01 Program Profile Worksheet](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/program-profile-worksheet) - [02 Gap Assessment Tool](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/gap-assessment-tool) - [03 Hazard Profile and Risk Register Method](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/hazard-profile-and-risk-register-method) - [04 Baseline Metrics and Indicator Set](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/baseline-metrics-and-indicator-set) - [05 Safety Culture Baseline](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/safety-culture-baseline) **04 Policies** - [Policy - Confined Space](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-confined-space) - [Policy - Fatigue and Hours of Work](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-fatigue-and-hours-of-work) - [Policy - Internal Responsibility and Accountability](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-internal-responsibility-and-accountability) - [Policy - Occupational Health and Safety](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-occupational-health-and-safety) - [Policy - Occupational Medical, Fitness and Wellness](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-occupational-medical-fitness-and-wellness) - [Policy - Records, Privacy and Health Information](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-records-privacy-and-health-information) - [Policy - Respiratory Protection](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-respiratory-protection) - [Policy - Right to Refuse Unsafe Work and Stop-Work Authority](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-right-to-refuse-unsafe-work-and-stop-work-authority) - [Policy - Volunteer Members](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-volunteer-members) - [Policy - Working at Heights](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/policy-working-at-heights) **05 Programs** - [Decontamination and Contamination Control Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/decontamination-and-contamination-control-program) - [Medical, Fitness and Wellness Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/medical-fitness-and-wellness-program) - [Occupational Cancer Prevention, Exposure Tracking and Screening Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/occupational-cancer-prevention-exposure-tracking-and-screening-program) - [Psychological Health and Safety and Peer Support Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/psychological-health-and-safety-and-peer-support-program) - [Wildland and Interface Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/wildland-and-interface-program) **06 Safe Work Procedures** - [SWP - Exposure Reporting](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/swp-exposure-reporting) - [SWP - Personal Vehicle Response (Volunteers)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/swp-personal-vehicle-response-volunteers) **07 Audit** - [Checklist - Cancer Prevention, Exposure and Screening](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-cancer-prevention-exposure-and-screening) - [Checklist - Decontamination and Contamination Control](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-decontamination-and-contamination-control) - [Checklist - Leadership, Policy and Program Management](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-leadership-policy-and-program-management) - [Checklist - Medical, Fitness and Wellness](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-medical-fitness-and-wellness) **08 Implementation** - [01 Implementation Roadmap 0-36 Months](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/implementation-roadmap-0-36-months) - [02 Business Case and Cost Model](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/business-case-and-cost-model) - [03 Communication, Training and Rollout Plan](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/communication-training-and-rollout-plan) - [04 Quick Start - First 90 Days](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/quick-start-first-90-days) **09 Forms and Templates** - [Form - Exposure Report](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/form-exposure-report) - [Form - Fatigue Self-Report and Officer Response](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/form-fatigue-self-report-and-officer-response) - [Form - Volunteer Participation Annual Confirmation](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/form-volunteer-participation-annual-confirmation) ## Definitions - **Approved or certified member.** A member whose membership the chief, council or municipal official has approved; in several jurisdictions only approved members are covered for compensation. - **Deemed employer.** The body the compensation statute treats as the employer of a volunteer, usually the municipality or the territorial government. - **Paid-on-call firefighter.** A member paid per call, per hour or by honorarium who is not a full-time employee; often a worker where an unpaid volunteer is not. - **Participation threshold.** A minimum share of calls and training a volunteer must attend each year to qualify for a presumption, such as Nova Scotia’s 20 per cent. - **Volunteer firefighter.** A member of a fire department who is not employed as a firefighter, whether unpaid or paid a nominal amount. ## References Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases, CQLR c. A-3.001 (Quebec; consolidated to 2026-08-12). Act respecting occupational health and safety, CQLR c. S-2.1 (Quebec; consolidated to 2026-08-12). An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2, S.N.W.T. 2026, c. 13 (Northwest Territories; certified text of 2026-06-04, in force 2027-01-01). Canada Labour Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2 (Canada; consolidated to 2026-09-30; Part II). Firefighters’ Compensation Act, S.N.B. 2009, c. F-12.5 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2025-06-06). Firefighters’ Compensation Regulations, N.S. Reg. 140/2003 (Nova Scotia; consolidated to 2025-09; amended to N.S. Reg. 111/2022, in force 2022-07-01). Firefighters’ Presumption Regulations, Nu. Reg. 016-2010 (Nunavut; consolidated to 2021-02-26). Firefighters: Protective Equipment, O. Reg. 714/94 (Ontario; consolidated to 2026-10-20). General Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety Act, N.B. Reg. 91-191 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2026-06-30). Government Employees Compensation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. G-5 (Canada; consolidated to 2026-09-30). Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.) (Canada; consolidated to 2026-09-30). Minimum Periods of Employment and Non-Smoking: Firefighters and OFC Personnel Regulation, Man. Reg. 160/2005 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-23). Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.N.L. 1990, c. O-3 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to 2024-12-04). Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1 (Ontario; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01 (Prince Edward Island; consolidated to 2023-08-01). Occupational Health and Safety Act, S.A. 2020, c. O-2.2 (Alberta; consolidated to 2025-06-11). Occupational Health and Safety Act, S.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2024-06-07). Occupational Health and Safety Act, S.N.S. 1996, c. 7 (Nova Scotia; consolidated to 2025-09-01; as amended by the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act, S.N.S. 2024; official text not reachable on the research date). Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Alta. Reg. 184/2021 (Alberta; as filed, in force 2021-12-01, no amendments). Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97 (British Columbia; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to 2026-10-07). Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, N.W.T. Reg. 039-2015 (Northwest Territories; consolidated to 2024-09-26). Part I of the Act: Firefighters and Fire Investigators, O. Reg. 253/07 (Ontario; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Regulation respecting occupational diseases, CQLR c. A-3.001, r. 8.1 (Quebec; consolidated to 2026-07-01). Safety Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1 (Northwest Territories; consolidated to 2023-10-06). Safety Act, R.S.N.W.T. (Nu.) 1988, c. S-1 (Nunavut; consolidated to 2016-06-19). The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, R.R.S. c. S-15.1, Reg. 10 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to 2021-04-07). The Saskatchewan Employment Act, S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to 2025-12-31). The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, S.S. 2013, c. W-17.11 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to 2025-08-07). The Workers Compensation Act, C.C.S.M. c. W200 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-20). The Workers’ Compensation Miscellaneous Regulations, R.R.S. c. W-17.11, Reg. 1 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to S.R. 81/2023). The Workplace Safety and Health Act, C.C.S.M. c. W210 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Workers’ Compensation Act, C.S.Nu., c. W-70 (Nunavut; consolidated to 2021-07-01). Workers Compensation Act General Regulations, citation not recorded (Prince Edward Island; consolidated to 2025-06-21). Workers’ Compensation Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. W-15 (Alberta; consolidated to 2025-12-18). Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c. 1 (British Columbia; consolidated to 2026-10-13). Workers’ Compensation Act, R.S.N.B. 1973, c. W-13 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2025-06-06). Workers Compensation Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. W-7.1 (Prince Edward Island; consolidated to 2026-05-29). Workers’ Compensation Act, S.N.S. 1994-95, c. 10 (Nova Scotia; consolidation date not recorded). Workers’ Compensation Act, S.N.W.T. 2007, c. 21 (Northwest Territories; consolidated to 2023-03-30). Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island. (2025a). *Frequently asked questions: Presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters*. Workers’ Compensation Board-Alberta. (2026). *Policies and information manual*. Workers’ Compensation General Regulations, N.S. Reg. 22/96 (Nova Scotia; consolidated to 2025-09; amended to N.S. Reg. 254/2025). Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act, S.Y. 2021, c. 11 (Yukon; consolidated to 2024-12-25). Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission \[WSCC\]. (2017). *Codes of practice: Firefighters* (in effect Nunavut 2017-12-21, Northwest Territories 2018-01-04). Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Y.O.I.C. 2006/178 (Yukon; consolidated to 2022-09-30). Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022, S.N.L. 2022, c. W-11.1 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to 2026-06-30). Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations, 2023, N.L.R. 67/23 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to 2023-09-01). Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 16, Sched. A (Ontario; consolidated to 2026-10-20). WorkSafeBC. (n.d.-e). *Society fire brigades and volunteer firefighters*. Yukon Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board. (n.d.-b). *Firefighter cancer presumption*.