HomeMy WebLinkAboutESD-024-02
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REPORT
EMERGENCY AND FIRE SERVICES
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date:
NOVEMBER 18, 2002
ESD-024 -02
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File # 10.12.6
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By-law #
Report #:
Subject:
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER REPLACEMENT
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
THAT Report ESD-024-02 is received for information.
Submitted by:
Reviewed bQ ~Q ~ W ~
Michael G. Crei hton, MCT, CMM11 Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P.
Director Emergency & Fire Services Chief Administrative Officer
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REPORT NO.: ESD-024-02
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT
On October 21,2002, Committee approved a pre-budget request to purchase 29 sets of bunker
equipment. This equipment is required to outfit new volunteer recruits hired to bring the
volunteer complement up to the approved level of 25 at each station.
A large number of these volunteers are being hired to replace the full time frrefighers of
Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, who have resigned as a requirement of their
membership in Local 3139 of the International Association of Firefighters. These resignations
have either already taken place or are effective December 31, 2002.
Staff has been able to fill 28 positions so far and are continuing to attempt to fill the other
positions in a timely manner. The recruit training began on November 13, 2002 in an attempt
to have them in place for January 1,2003.
Staff has been advised that actions are being considered, or have already started, to attempt to
force full time firefighters from other departments, who volunteer in Clarington, to resign.
This will involve another nine volunteers.
Staff is also aware that Bill 30, an Act to amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997
in order to protect the employment of volunteer firefighters has cleared the Justice and Social
Policy Committee. It is staff's understanding that the legislation will now be returned to the
House for further action and hopefully, passing.
We nnderstand that meetings have taken place with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office, the
Firefighters' Association and the Fire Chiefs' Association, but an agreement was not reached.
This leaves only a legislated solution to address the issue. Staff is hopeful the Members of the
House will see the need to allow those full time frrefighters, who choose to serve the
communities where they reside, without concern of punitive action by their Associations.
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
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