Nova Scotia Government Invests in New Equipment to Strengthen Firefighter Training and Safety

The Nova Scotia PC government is investing in new training equipment to enhance firefighter safety and expand hands-on training capacity across Nova Scotia.

The Department of Emergency Management is purchasing two mobile burn units and four propane-fuelled training props to ensure firefighters have access to safe, modern and consistent training, regardless of where they serve.

Mobile burn units are portable, self-contained training trailers that allow firefighters to practise live-fire scenarios in a controlled environment. Using propane-fuelled fires, smoke and adjustable layouts, the units simulate real emergencies while meeting strict national safety standards. With two additional units based in the western and central regions, Nova Scotia will have three mobile burn units in operation, including one in Cape Breton. The units can be moved throughout the province to support local training needs.

The four new training props are modular simulators designed to recreate a range of fire scenarios, including propane tank and pressure-vessel fires, as well as multi-point ignition fires. The equipment allows firefighters to practise essential skills such as hose operations, fire suppression, shutting off fuel sources and making critical decisions under pressure.

The investment comes as work continues on the development of a new long-term firefighter training program. It also builds on broader efforts to strengthen fire services, including the introduction of the Fire Safety and Services Act during the fall 2025 sitting of the legislature, which commits the Province to improving fire safety and supporting the long-term stability of fire services across Nova Scotia.