Red Deer, AB Local 1190 members are urging the public to pressure city and fire department management to properly staff one of the city’s busiest fire stations.
In 2024, overtime costs climbed to $3.2 million after the city chose not to add staff as call volume grew. This year – against the advice of Local 1190 leaders and widely recognized best practices – the city responded by reducing the number of fire fighters per shift and temporarily closing a fire station.
“Simply put, this policy is dangerous. There needs to be four fire fighters on every truck for every call,” IAFF 6th District Vice President Mike Carter said. “Our members are responding to serious emergencies, from fires to car accidents with fatalities. Still, the city is allowing the fire department to operate short-staffed. That’s not safe for the public or our members.”
Local 1190 offered several solutions to offset overtime costs without reducing staff or closing stations. Instead, the city Adopted what it calls a “dynamic staffing policy.”
Under the policy, when staffing falls short, Fire Station 2 will operate with only two personnel or be temporarily browned out (closed).
“Fire Station 2 is one of our busiest fire stations,” said Brad Readman, Local 1190 president. “Reducing staffing, or sometimes even shutting down the station overnight, is dangerous for the community we serve because we are not always able to respond in a timely manner. And the stress of not having enough people on the job is stressful for us and really hurts department morale.”
Readman said Local 1190 repeatedly reached out to the city with their concerns, but management has pressed forward.
“Short staffing is a safety concern that is not just going to go away, but we felt like we were not being heard,” Readman said.“So, 84% of the membership voted to issue a vote of no confidence against the chief and two assistant chiefs for their role in implementing this policy.”
Local 1190 launched a public information campaign, which includes a billboard and yard signs that residents can display to show their support. More than 2,000 signs are already in use.
Readman estimates that between 15 and 20 fire fighters are needed to keep the fire department fully staffed and avoid overtime.
