For over a century, volunteer firefighters helped to protect Port MoodyBritish Columbia, but next year the tradition comes to an end.
The City of Port Moody has decided to disband the volunteer firefighter program, citing changes in firefighting legislation, training guidelines and WorkSafe BC requirements, increased recruitment costs for volunteers due to high turnover, decreased reliance on volunteers, and increased availability of mutual aid from other local firefighters. departments.
“The truth is that Port Moody is one of the last municipalities in Metro that still has a contingent of volunteers, and while we would like to continue with this model, this model cannot be sustained in the future,” he said. said Port Moody. Mayor Meghan Lahti wrote in an email to Global News, saying the change is not expected to impact service levels.
“As we evolve into a modern, full-service department, changes need to be made and this is a strategic decision that was operationalized as part of the recent budget process. »
On Dec. 17, the City Council approved the budget proposed by Port Moody Fire Rescue (PMFR), which did not include the volunteer program. Volunteers were informed of the decision during a closed-door meeting on Dec. 19, according to a post on the association’s Facebook page.
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The decision affects 20 volunteer firefighters who provide additional resources and support to the department and are trained only for low-risk outdoor operations.
Port Moody Volunteer Firefighters Association president Tyson Nicholas says his members are disappointed with the decision.
“It’s been a tradition since 1913, since the city of Port Moody was established, to have volunteer firefighters,” said Nicholas, who has been a volunteer for 21 years.
“(Fire Chief Darcey O’Riordan) is a great leader to work with and has always been supportive, which made it more difficult to discover that we were no longer needed in our current capacity.
Following a review of all its services in 2022, PMFR has identified the need to add more full-time firefighters over the next decade. Nicholas doesn’t know if that will lead to some volunteers becoming career firefighters.
He says he and the other volunteers are looking forward to a meeting with O’Riordan on Jan. 9, 2025, to learn the city’s priorities and how they can continue to contribute in the future.
“Recognizing the continued outstanding contributions of volunteer firefighters in supporting community events and fundraising, PMFR will work with volunteers to explore ways to continue to offer volunteer activities associated with PMFR and recognize the legacy of these valuable volunteers,” Lahti wrote.
In 2023, the Port Moody Fire Department responded to 1,756 incidents, including 533 alarms and structure fires, marking its busiest year ever.
With 50 career employees, three chief officers and one administrative assistant, the department’s operating budget for 2023 was just over $10.2 million.
— with files from Sarah Macdonald
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