Support volunteer firefighters
Atlantic Canadians know that our rural communities depend on the dedication of our volunteer firefighters.
The people who don the helmets and boots know they may have to leave their workplaces, their leisure time or family commitments at a moment’s notice in order to save the lives and properties of everyone from their friends and neighbours to perfect strangers.
EQUIPMENT, TRAINING
Not only are the vast majority of Atlantic Canadian firefighters not paid for the time they miss or the dangers they face, they must commit additional time and energy keeping their training up and fundraising for their equipment. To achieve Level 1 status, that’s a personal commitment of dozens of hours of instruction and training.
In the Cape Breton community of Tower Road, N.S., not enough people were able to get that training, leading to the closure of the 70-year-old operation last week.
Provincial officials promise area residents will still get fire coverage through nearby departments, but the closure of Tower Road is a reminder of the precariousness of these community hubs.
According to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, there were 30,000 fewer firefighters in Canada in 2022 than in 2016. Among the concerns cited were increasing call volumes, aging equipment and lack of support for rural, volunteer stations.
STRAINED RELATIONS
In Rexton, N.B., every one of the volunteer firefighters in the community threatened to leave their posts on March 21 due to a dispute with their mayor and council involving a lack of respect, harassment and budget concerns. Thankfully, the walkout was short-lived with firefighters back to duty by March 27, but the rift should never have gotten that large in the first place.
On Facebook, Rexton firefighters wrote, “We swore an oath to protect all of you and we never thought we would have to step away from that oath.”
That sense of duty and devotion to their communities is what gives these selfless individuals the purpose to run into burning buildings and rush to other emergencies. But it is taking a toll.
“The volunteers are stretched beyond their means now,” Annapolis Royal Fire Chief Andrew Cranton told Saltwire ahead of a March 20 meeting about ambulance delays at medical calls.
“We’re doing it now to the best of our abilities because we love our communities … Eventually, we’re going to hit this stage of burnout.”
INCREASING DEMANDS
A Nova Scotia Guard proposal announced by N.S. Premier Tim Houston on March 28 recognizes the increasing demand and additional need for volunteers.
“Climate change is causing more frequent and severe wildfires, floods and other emergencies that threaten the safety of Nova Scotians and our communities,” Houston said while encouraging residents to sign up to help when needed.
Other Atlantic premiers are no doubt watching to see how this guard of volunteer snow shovellers and basement bailers plays out, but it is ignoring one fundamental element.
Nova Scotia — like New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador — already has teams of willing volunteers preparing for the next disaster. To keep them, and add to their numbers, requires addressing their well-documented concerns.