Winnipeg, MB - The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service assures citizens that their safety, and the safety of all of our responders, is its highest priority.
“Our proposal to address a serious over-expenditure will absolutely not put the lives of citizens or our employees at risk,” said Acting Chief William Clark. “I’m a career fire fighter, and would never do that to citizens or my colleagues.”
Clark confirms that, contrary to messages being conveyed to media, a redeployment strategy would not breach industry standards or the City’s collective agreement with the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW). He also confirms that fire engines and other apparatus will not sit idle across the city.
In addition, the Acting Chief confirms that 27 fire fighters have been hired this year, bringing the Department to its full staff complement.
The proposal would see, depending on available staffing, rescue units from a maximum of two stations converted to two-person Squad units. This deployment model would maintain WFPS standards as well as those of the National Fire Protection Association.
The City has 31 fire paramedic/ambulance stations. Of these, only 12 fire paramedic stations have secondary units. The two units affected in this redeployment strategy would come from the stations with the lowest call volumes across the city.
Council received a presentation this week from executives of the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, explaining a new staffing model proposed to control spiralling overtime costs, while ensuring public and fire fighter safety is maintained. In the presentation to Council, the Acting Chief reported that overtime is projected to increase 86% since last year.
“Safety is our number one priority,” said Acting Chief William Clark. “We are also responsible to the citizens of Winnipeg to use our human and financial resources in the most effective way we can.”
“I’m proud of our employees, who deliver fire and paramedic services that are second-to-none,” said the Acting Chief. “Our proposal is about making the most of the staff we have on-shift on every given day. This proposal is no different than the way we adjust our response profile minute to minute, hour to hour, every day to ensure our resources are where they are needed.”
Clark has agreed not to implement the new strategy until he continues discussing this and other options with the UFFW, early next week.