THUNDER BAY – The union representing Thunder Bay firefighters is raising serious concerns about the city’s plan to find savings at the department, warning the proposed elimination of nine positions through attrition will endanger the public and firefighters.
Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters Association president Dennis Brescacin outlined the union's objections to city council Monday night.
The union buttressed its concerns with a more than 100 page report, including a GIS analysis it said showed a new master fire plan would reduce response capabilities.
The presentation ended without any questions or comments from councillors.
A plan presented by newly appointed fire chief Greg Hankkio last week would offer an estimated $1 million in annual savings, by eliminating the dedicated “entry control and accountability” position at Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.
“What we’re presenting to you tonight is some long-term savings without a reduction in the level of service,” he told councillors on Dec. 14.
Hankkio expects a responding firefighter or pumper driver could take on those duties without impacting safety, since the change would be accompanied by increased deployment to possible structure fires.
“We are going to increase our deployment to a possible structural fire where we will send an additional apparatus,” he has said. “We will have three more firefighters on a scene much quicker than we do now.”
The firefighters association categorically rejects that assertion, saying the increased response will only draw down resources elsewhere in the department’s coverage area.
“As soon as you do that, you’re taking another pumper from another area, and you’re leaving that area unprotected, so you are reducing the level of service, especially if another call comes in,” Brescacin told Tbnewswatch Monday.
The union also raised concerns about potential changes to the number and location of fire stations, saying all three options suggested by consultants would decrease the department’s response capability.
Those changes aren’t expected to be seriously considered by the city until 2022, with administration set to report back with a comprehensive recommendation on fire station location in the second quarter of that year.
Asked about the lack of questions from councillors following his 10-minute deputation Monday, Brescacin expressed surprise at the apparent lack of interest in the union’s concerns.
“I thought at least some of the councillors would ask questions,” he said. “I know we would’ve wanted to say a lot more, but we didn’t have enough time.”
