Quebec will have no choice but to “rethink the approach” when it comes to recruiting firefighters in the province. Public Security Minister François Bonnardel talks about reforms; The Liberals are calling for a parliamentary commission on the issue.
Since 2020, the number of firefighters has fallen from 23,000 to 15,000 in 2022. Of the 621 fire protection services, 70% rely on volunteer or part-time firefighters.
“These people cannot make a living with part-time work, so they are increasingly looking for permanent employment,” says Patrice Brunelle, director of the fire protection service in Saint-Jérôme.
According to the Association of Fire Safety Managers, firefighters have a duty to arrive at the scene of a fire in less than eight minutes, regardless of location.
“We would like the Ministry of Public Safety to take the lead and then promote fire brigade groups so that care for the population is more standardized,” he said.
Quebec Liberal Party MP for Westmount-St-Louis Jennifer Maccarone says she’s “concerned for the firefighters.”
“We know there are significant recruitment difficulties,” she added.
The heads of fire protection services are also calling for standardization of firefighter training.
“Whether it’s part-time or full-time, it has to be standardized training,” asks Mr. Brunelle.
They also believe that firefighters from towns and villages should be trained to intervene in the forest.
The Minister of Public Security wants to review the different training levels in the region as well as the number of fire protection services across the province.