Staffing and Response Facts
Below are some of the questions we are commonly asked about our Fire Service.
Is it true your firefighters work for straight time overtime?
Yes, in 2000 our operational firefighters agreed that we would work for regular straight time overtime in order to try to adequately staff stations. Subsequent to this our members agreed to extend the overtime rate of straight time overtime for 12 years ending in 2016.
Yes, in 2000 our operational firefighters agreed that we would work for regular straight time overtime in order to try to adequately staff stations. Subsequent to this our members agreed to extend the overtime rate of straight time overtime for 12 years ending in 2016.
Does having less officers affect staffing?
Yes.
A few years ago there were approximately 22-23 station officers for each of the four shifts in what is considered the core area (Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Lakeside) of HRM where career firefighters provide 24 hour full time fire protection. Currently there are on average 20 station officers per shift. There are 18 stations in the core. This means that if only a few officers are off on any type of leave (vacation, sick, family death, injury) or on required departmental training, there will be a shortage. Add possible workplace injuries and that number grows even more. If no officer is in the station the crew will be unsupervised.
Yes.
A few years ago there were approximately 22-23 station officers for each of the four shifts in what is considered the core area (Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Cole Harbour, Eastern Passage, Lakeside) of HRM where career firefighters provide 24 hour full time fire protection. Currently there are on average 20 station officers per shift. There are 18 stations in the core. This means that if only a few officers are off on any type of leave (vacation, sick, family death, injury) or on required departmental training, there will be a shortage. Add possible workplace injuries and that number grows even more. If no officer is in the station the crew will be unsupervised.
What is the difference between 2, 3 and 4 person crews?
Two person crews consist of a driver and one other firefighter or an officer. They are not allowed to enter a burning building according to HRM Fire Services policies. If they do so they risk injury and possible disciplinary action from the Fire Service for violating policy. In most situations they will only be able to drive the fire engine to the emergency scene. They can perform minimal exterior tasks at an emergency scene and then wait for other firefighters to arrive. However long that may take.
Three person crews consist of a driver and two other firefighters or a driver an officer and one firefighter. They are allowed to do limited tasks. According to HRM Fire Service policies they are allowed to perform a rescue if the officer deems it safe to do so. They are not allowed to enter a burning building to fight the fire until additional firefighters arrive.
Four person crews consist of a driver an officer and two firefighters. They are allowed to perform any and all tasks at an emergency scene. Due to their staffing levels they are able to attack fires quickly, use more equipment such as ladders and jaws of life more efficiently to rescue victims and overall perform all firefighter tasks safely and efficiently.
All of these crews require a quick response of additional firefighters to supply water and aid with the additional fire attack.
Two person crews consist of a driver and one other firefighter or an officer. They are not allowed to enter a burning building according to HRM Fire Services policies. If they do so they risk injury and possible disciplinary action from the Fire Service for violating policy. In most situations they will only be able to drive the fire engine to the emergency scene. They can perform minimal exterior tasks at an emergency scene and then wait for other firefighters to arrive. However long that may take.
Three person crews consist of a driver and two other firefighters or a driver an officer and one firefighter. They are allowed to do limited tasks. According to HRM Fire Service policies they are allowed to perform a rescue if the officer deems it safe to do so. They are not allowed to enter a burning building to fight the fire until additional firefighters arrive.
Four person crews consist of a driver an officer and two firefighters. They are allowed to perform any and all tasks at an emergency scene. Due to their staffing levels they are able to attack fires quickly, use more equipment such as ladders and jaws of life more efficiently to rescue victims and overall perform all firefighter tasks safely and efficiently.
All of these crews require a quick response of additional firefighters to supply water and aid with the additional fire attack.
Click on the following link to view a video produced by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) about staffing levels.
To see a map of how many firefighters regularly staff your fire station click here.
Why are response times important?
Every minute that a fire free burns it doubles in size. A one room fire can quickly spread to two rooms and larger if no firefighters are there to put water on the fire. The longer the response time the longer it takes to put water on the fire. Here are some examples of fire progression videos.
Every minute that a fire free burns it doubles in size. A one room fire can quickly spread to two rooms and larger if no firefighters are there to put water on the fire. The longer the response time the longer it takes to put water on the fire. Here are some examples of fire progression videos.
Response time is also important for other calls we respond to such as a medical call for a heart attack victim. Irreversible brain damage occurs when the victim does not receive medical attention within the first few minutes.
Click on the link below to go to HRM's website to view a copy of HRM's 2010/2011 Budget and Business Plan. Go to page H18 for more information on this topic.
How do station closures affect response times?
Each HRM Fire station is supposed to be geographically located to allow for a certain response time in their initial response district. If a station closes, the next nearest station will be the first response to the now empty district. The open station will now be covering its' district, and the district of the station that is closed. Response times will increase.
Each HRM Fire station is supposed to be geographically located to allow for a certain response time in their initial response district. If a station closes, the next nearest station will be the first response to the now empty district. The open station will now be covering its' district, and the district of the station that is closed. Response times will increase.
Click on the link below to go to HRM's website to view a copy of HRM's 2010/2011 Budget and Business Plan. Go to page H18 for more information on this topic.