Fire Warden Training in Ontario: Who Needs It, How Often, and What It Covers

Fire warden training is one of the most frequently cited compliance gaps I find when I audit a building's fire safety records. Building owners often have a Fire Safety Plan on file  -  they just haven't trained their staff on it. Under the Ontario Fire Code, that's a violation.

Here's exactly what the OFC requires for fire warden and supervisory staff training, what training needs to cover, and how to make sure your records are in order.

What the Ontario Fire Code Requires

Section 2.8.2.1(h) of the Ontario Fire Code requires that every Fire Safety Plan include provisions for the training of supervisory staff. This isn't optional, and it isn't just for large buildings  -  it applies to every building that requires a Fire Safety Plan.

The OFC also requires that training records be kept on site and available for fire department inspection. An inspector can ask at any time whether your staff have been trained and request documentation.

Reference: OFC 2.8.2.1(h)  -  Staff training provisions

Who Is a 'Supervisory Staff Member'?

Under the OFC, supervisory staff are persons who have been assigned fire safety responsibilities in the Fire Safety Plan. This typically includes:

• The Chief Fire Warden  -  usually the building manager or property manager

• The Alternate Chief Fire Warden

• Floor Wardens  -  at least one designated person per floor

• Security personnel who are on site and have emergency response duties

• Any other staff member assigned a specific role in the FSP

In a retirement home, this includes the General Manager, all nursing staff on each shift, and maintenance staff. In a restaurant, it's the manager and shift supervisors. In a commercial building, it's the property manager, building superintendent, and security.

How Often Is Training Required?

The OFC requires training to occur annually and whenever a new supervisory staff member is hired or an existing staff member takes on new fire safety responsibilities. There is no grace period for new hires  -  they should be trained on the FSP before being given any fire safety responsibility, which in practice means within their first week.

Reference: OFC 2.8.2.1  -  Before assignment of fire safety responsibilities

What Training Must Cover

Your training program needs to address, at minimum:

The Fire Safety Plan Itself

Every supervisory staff member needs to understand the full contents of the FSP: where it's stored, how to use it in an emergency, and what their specific role is. This isn't just handing someone a document  -  it's a walkthrough of the plan and confirmation that they understand it.

Emergency Procedures

Staff need to know what to do upon discovery of a fire, how to activate the alarm, how to call the fire department, how to evacuate occupants, and how to assist persons who can't self-evacuate. For two-stage alarm systems, staff need to understand both the Stage 1 alert and Stage 2 evacuation responses.

Building Systems

Staff responsible for fire safety need to know where the fire alarm panel is and how to read it, where the manual pull stations are, where the sprinkler control room is, and where all fire extinguishers are located on their floor.

Fire Extinguisher Use

All supervisory staff should be trained on fire extinguisher use  -  fire classifications, extinguisher types, and the PASS technique. Under OFC 2.6, training on extinguisher use is required for staff who may be called upon to use one. Sterling Safety offers certified online fire extinguisher training that satisfies this requirement.

Reference: OFC 2.6  -  Portable fire extinguisher training

Evacuation Procedures and Assembly Points

Staff need to know the evacuation routes from every floor they're responsible for, the location of the assembly point, and how to account for all occupants at the assembly point.

Training Records  -  What You Need to Keep

At minimum, your training records should include:

• Date of training

• Names of all staff trained

• Topics covered

• Name of the trainer or training provider

• Signature of each participant

Keep these on site with your Fire Safety Plan binder. If an inspector asks and you can't produce records, the fact that you conducted training doesn't matter  -  the absence of records is itself a violation.

Sterling Safety Training Options

We offer two types of fire safety training for Ontario buildings. On-site training sessions where Thomas visits your building and trains your full staff team in person  -  practical, building-specific, and the most effective approach. Online certified training through the Sterling Safety fire extinguisher training program, which staff can complete remotely and receive a certificate of completion.

For property managers with multiple buildings, we can coordinate training across your portfolio efficiently. Call us to discuss what works best for your situation.

Sterling Safety  -  613-794-3320 | info@sterlingsafety.ca | sterlingsafety.ca  |  Toronto, GTA & Southern Ontario  -  Free site visit, fixed pricing, fire department submission included.