Exemption from paragraph 323.14(4)(a) of Standard 323 – Aircraft Fire Fighting at Airports and Aerodromes made pursuant to section 303.14 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations
NCR-075-2020
Pursuant to subsection 5.9(2) of the Aeronautics Act, and after taking into account that the exemption is in the public interest and is not likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security, I hereby exempt all Canadian airport operators from the requirements set out in paragraph 323.14(4)(a) of Standard 323 – Aircraft Fire Fighting at Airports and Aerodromes made pursuant to section 303.14 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), subject to the conditions below.
Subparagraph 323.14(2)(a)(xii) and paragraph 323.14(4)(a) of Standard 323 – Aircraft Fire Fighting at Airports and Aerodromes state that first aid training shall be provided to all fire-fighting personnel at least once every three years.
The details of the above provisions are reproduced in Appendix A.
Purpose
The purpose of this exemption is to allow all Canadian airport operators to extend the period in which recurrent first aid training is to be provided to all fire-fighting personnel beyond the frequency stated in Standard 323, which is at least once every three years, in consideration of extensions to validity granted by the training and attestation provider.
The training related to first aid is structured to be delivered in a traditional classroom context and this is not possible in consideration of the current COVID-19 situation and its impact on classroom gatherings. The training providers have the flexibility to deliver some parts of the training in a virtual context, however some elements still need to be delivered in a classroom environment to properly assess the level of skill. In recognition of this, the training agencies have issued extensions to the validity of training given beyond the typical three year cycle.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, this exemption will allow the validity extensions granted by the respective first aid training and attestation provider.
Application
This exemption applies to all Canadian airport operators.
This exemption ceases to apply to a Canadian airport operator that does not respect the conditions of this exemption.
Conditions
This exemption is subject to the following conditions:
- The Canadian airport operator who elects to use this exemption shall consult with their first aid training and attestation provider about the expiration of current training attestations, availability of renewal of the attestation and the possible extension to the validity period of current attestations.
- The Canadian airport operator who elects to use this exemption shall ensure that every firefighter assigned to aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting at Airports and Aerodromes duties (as identified under subpart 303 of the CARs) completes their individual recurrent first aid training within the validity period of the first aid training, or if applicable the extended validity period, as stated by the first aid training and attestation provider.
- The Canadian airport operator who elects to exercise the privileges of this exemption shall notify their Transport Canada Civil Aviation regional office prior to use this exemption.
Validity
This exemption is in effect until the earliest of the following:
- a) June 1, 2021, at 23:59 (EST); or
- b) the date on which the exemption is cancelled in writing by the Minister where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest or is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security.
Dated at Ottawa, Ontario, this 4th day of June, 2020, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.
“Original signed by”
Nicholas Robinson
Director General, Civil Aviation
Transport Canada
Appendix A
Pertinent Provision of the Canadian Aviation Regulations
Training of Personnel
- 303.14 The operator of a designated airport or of a participating airport or aerodrome shall ensure that all personnel assigned to aircraft fire-fighting duties are trained in accordance with the aircraft fire-fighting standards.
Pertinent Provisions of the Standard 323 – Aircraft Fire Fighting at Airports and Aerodromes
323.14 Training of Personnel
(1) Knowledge and Skill Training
Training shall be provided in the following areas:
- (a) General Training
- […]
- (xii) First Aid.
- (b) […]
- (a) General Training
(2) Level of Achievement to be Attained
- (a) General Training
- […]
- (xii) With respect to first aid, the candidate shall be able to:
- (A) Identify primary and secondary life-threatening injuries,
- (B) Determine whether or not a victim has an open airway,
- (C) Locate an open airway in a person who is not breathing,
- (D) Recognize types and characteristics of external and internal bleeding,
- (E) Demonstrate techniques to control bleeding,
- (F) Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
- (G) Recognize shock,
- (H) Recognize injuries to the skull, spine, chest, and extremities,
- (I) Recognize internal injuries,
- (J) Demonstrate procedures for moving patients,
- (K) Treat burns, and
- (L) Demonstrate knowledge concerning triage methodology.
- (b) […]
- (a) General Training
(4) Recurrent Training
(a) General
Recurrent training shall be provided to enable each firefighter to maintain the level of proficiency established in this standard.
Except for subparagraph 323.14(2)(a)(xi) respecting live-fire training, every firefighter must complete training in each element of the standards listed in section 323.14 at least once every three years.
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