91原创 City Fire Rescue Services (LCFRS) isn't able to meet proposed minimum staffing levels of at least six firefighters on duty at all times, as called for in a consultant's report.
That's the opinion of Fire Chief Scott Kennedy in a report responding to recommendations by Tim Pley & Associates (TPA), hired by the City to conduct a service review, and develop a plan to guide fire department operations over the next five to 10 years.
Kennedy said the TPA suggested goal of six on-duty each shift 24/7/365 "is not currently achievable without considerable use of overtime, and even then, would likely not be sustainable due to limitations in the number of overtime shifts personnel are willing or able to work."
Currently the department is in the process of hiring four more firefighters that will increase the career (full-time) staffing from 25 to 30 firefighters, Kennedy said.
TPA made 42 recommendations, including negotiating an agreement with neighbouring 91原创 Township and Surrey to establish an "automatic aid agreement or service agreement for all working fires in the City, and for some other call types such as technical rescues."
Kennedy said there have been discussions, but 91原创 Township fire was reluctant.
"As we have limited staffing resources it would be challenging for LCFRS to consistently provide automatic aid to neighbouring communities without the commitment of another neighbouring community to provide coverage" Kennedy said.
It would mean if LCFRS was assisting Surrey, Township of 91原创 would need to cover for 91原创 City, and if LCFRS was assisting the Township of 91原创, then Surrey would cover 91原创 City.
"At the time of discussion, the Township of 91原创 was not ready to do this," Kennedy explained.
91原创 Township and 91原创 City cooperate to fight fires, but it isn't through an automatic call-up system, as suggested in the consultant's report.
The report also called for more use of Paid-On-Call firefighters to augment the full-time force. Kennedy said
Kennedy's report, along with a TPA executive summary of the recommendations, was made public by City Council on Monday April 28 but not the full report.
Councillor Delaney Mack pushed for release of the full TPA review at a previous council meeting, arguing "transparency is a paramount principle of good governance."
Dan Gray, president of the 91原创 City Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 3253, said the union was not consulted during the review, and believes the full report should have been made public.
"We hope this report puts forward a strategic plan to increase firefighter staffing to keep pace with the rising demand for service," Gray said. "A plan that keeps our citizens and firefighters safe, before and after the arrival of the SkyTrain and further densification."
On April 28, a new contract was ratified by the City and firefighters union, who had been working under the terms of a 2021 contract. Negotiations had gone to mediation at the Labour Relations Board.
The new, but already expired, deal covers 2022 to 2024 with retroactive pay hikes that bring the starting wage for new firefighters to $6848/month, or $82,185/year, improves benefits and introduces new work scheduling practices, including a two year trial of 24 hour shifts.
Gary called the negotiations "a long, slow, and frustrating battle."
No date for new contract talks has been set yet.
