Enough is enough.
The Association Des Pompiers de Montréal (Quebec) Local 125 is demanding stronger action from the city and fire department management after a scathing report about equipment shortfalls was released by the city’s auditor general two weeks ago.
The report, available in French here, found the department is not tracking gear inventory, failing to replace outdated gear, not cleaning contaminate gear fast enough, and ultimately jeopardizing fire fighter safety.
Chris Ross, IAFF 15th District Vice President and Montréal Local 125 president, is a 31-year veteran of the department. He was not surprised by the findings.
“This report says what we have been telling city and fire department management for at least 10 years,” Ross said. “We have a gear shortage because the city is not buying enough of it; the gear we do have is not being replaced before it becomes out of date; and there’s not enough washing machines to clean gear between calls.
“There are times when fire companies have to go out of service due to a lack of equipment.”
This report says what we have been telling city and fire department management for at least 10 years. We have a gear shortage because the city is not buying enough of it; the gear we do have is not being replaced before it becomes out of date; and there’s not enough washing machines to clean gear between calls. There are times when fire companies have to go out of service due to a lack of equipment.
15th District VIce PResident CHris Ross
According to Local 125 officials and the report, more than 20,000 pieces of protective equipment are incomplete, unreliable, or non-compliant – directly compromising fire fighter safety.
“Because of these gear issues, we are struggling to keep guys dressed and responding to calls,” Ross said. “One day, we had 33 ladders and engines out of service, 30 on another day, and 16 on another. This is not safe for fire fighters or the public.”
The crisis came to the forefront recently when a five-alarm fire broke out in a four-story apartment building near Montréal West train station.
The closest fire hall, Station 77, was fully staffed, but they could not respond because there were no clean helmets available. The next closest fire station responded, and it took 30 minutes for Station 77 to receive enough clean gear to join the response.
Two fire fighters and one civilian were injured during the incident.
The auditor’s report also criticized the department’s lack of a comprehensive inventory system for its gear. As a result, the department often doesn’t know how much equipment is available – or even where some gear is located.
Still, the municipal administration is downplaying the seriousness of the gear shortage.
Montréal Fire Department (SIM) Chief Richard Liebmann recently told City News Everywhere, “Look, firefighting is a job that has certain risks and while I think the tone may have been a little bit alarmist, a lot of the facts are nonetheless correct, but I don’t think firefighters’ lives are at risk.”
However, the municipal administration has promised to purchase new sets of bunker gear, implement upgrades to its gear tracking system, and increase the ability to wash uniforms and equipment more quickly.
“We appreciate these first steps, but it is not enough to ensure that our members will have the gear they need when they need it,” Ross said.
Local 125 says what’s needed now is clear: management accountability for the shortcomings; an action plan with firm timelines and responsibilities; and stronger contract language to ensure fire fighter gear remains a top priority.
