On March 9, 2019, my brother, Skyler Blackie, lost his life at the Nova Scotia Firefighters School (NSFS) due to preventable safety lapses during a training exam. Skyler was not just a dedicated and passionate firefighter, he was also a loving husband, a caring son, brother and uncle, and a kind soul whose life was cruelly taken due to this negligence. 

Despite the NSFS pleading guilty, it has demonstrated a lack of accountability, with minimal effort in fulfilling the judge’s sentence orders. This blatant disregard for the judicial process and safety standards puts present and future students at the same risk that took my brother's life. Currently, a safety audit of the NSFS revealed 41 safety infractions of the OHS Act and Regulations, with 22 of those being identified as "high risk" activities, proving no improvements or changes have been made since Skyler's passing

Fire departments in Nova Scotia, particularly those in volunteer-run and rural areas, rely on a training fund from the Nova Scotia Fire Service Automobile Insurance Levy. This fund has recently been depleted, creating potential gaps in essential firefighter training. Unlike other provinces with stable funding and support structures, Nova Scotia's programs lack regulation. In the other Atlantic provinces, firefighting programs at NBCC, Holland College, and Memorial University are heavily regulated. However, the NSFS is a nonprofit organization, and insufficient provincial legislation limits the labor department's ability to enforce necessary safety measures.

Ensure Skyler’s tragic loss prompts vital and permanent change. Sign this petition and demand legislative change for firefighter training in Nova Scotia.