Edmonton, AB Local 209 and Lethbridge, AB Local 237 have both secured minimum staffing language in contracts, guaranteeing companies will be staffed with at least four fire fighters. The wins came through positive labor-management relationships and sustained education efforts by Local leaders.
“We know – and scientific research confirms – that four-person crews save lives,” General President Edward Kelly said. “Having at least four fire fighters on scene at the start is essential to putting water on the fire and conducting search and rescue operations more quickly and safely.”
In fact, NIST (National Institute of Science and Technology) conducted live-burn experiments that found four-person crews complete critical fireground tasks 30% faster than two-person crews and 25% faster than three-person crews.
In Edmonton, Local 209’s 1,300 members had been responding mostly with four fire fighters on an engine, but it was not contractually mandated. Minimum staffing language was added in September 2025 with the support of the city’s new fire chief, David Lazenby.
“Maintaining adequate staffing will go a long way to ensure our safety on the job. And it will ensure we are able to deliver the level of service our city’s 1.2 million people need and deserve,” Local 209 President Greg Rehman said. “We really appreciate Chief Lazenby’s support in this matter and the Edmonton city administration leaders listening to our concerns and taking appropriate action. “
According to data provided by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, the number of emergency calls (fire and medical) jumped 60% from 2020 (54,157) to 2024 (86,669). With the growing demand for service, both fire department management and Local 209 agreed it was time to add resources.
The new contract language mirrors recommendations from the IAFF stating “sufficient fire fighter personnel shall be available to provide a minimum of four fire fighters on each apparatus.”
Four-person staffing also has been secured for the growing city of Lethbridge.
Until the staffing letter of agreement was added to Local 237’s contract last month, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services fire fighters were responding to most emergencies with three on a truck and two on an ambulance.
“Only having three fire fighters first on scene made meeting two-in,two-out a challenge. We often had to wait on the second responding fire company to start an interior attack,” Local 237 President Brent Nunweiler said. “Having four fire fighters on an engine will allow us to be faster, more effective, and safer.”
The staffing changes take effect Oct. 1.
“We commend the city of Lethbridge for adding staffing requirements into our contract that will better ensure we have the resources we need to do the job,” Nunweiler said.
The IAFF offers a toolkit for Locals interested in establishing four-person minimum staffing.
Resources for both the United States and Canada are included. The Canadian version provides content specific to the nation’s fire service, including a comparison between the National Fire Protection Association’s 1710 and 1720 staffing standards.
“Minimum staffing keeps fire fighters – and the communities we took an oath to protect – safe,” Kelly said. “Edmonton and Lethbridge will surely be safer thanks to the leadership of Locals 209 and 237.”
