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August 12, 2009

Document Number 2009-12

EXEMPTION FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS:
AMENDMENT TO ONTARIO REGULATION 555/06
 

Ontario Regulation 555/06, a regulation made under the Highway Traffic Act, sets out rules pertaining to hours of service of commercial vehicle drivers operating in Ontario, so that these drivers get the necessary rest to operate their vehicles safely.

On March 27, 2009, Ontario Regulation 114/09 was filed and came into effect. This regulation amended Ontario Regulation 555/06 by adding the following section:

Exemption for volunteer firefighters

        3.1 (1) A driver and operator are exempt from this Regulation while the driver is performing duties as a volunteer firefighter, as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, but no matter how many hours the driver actually performs duties as a volunteer firefighter, the exemption shall not exceed,
        (a) two consecutive hours a day; or
        (b) two consecutive hours in the mandatory off-duty time period required by section 9.
        (2) The exemption period under subsection (1) shall be included as off-duty time in the calculations of the driver’s hours of off-duty and on-duty time for the purposes of complying with this Regulation when the driver is not exempt under subsection (1).

Enquiries regarding hours of service or the exemption for volunteer firefighters should be directed to Alf Brown, Carrier Enforcement Program Office, Ministry of Transportation. He can be reached by e-mail at Alf.Brown@ontario.ca.