EDMONTON – Monday marks the first day the Village of Thorsby will be without a full-time fire crew.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, nearly 20 volunteer firefighters stepped down from their positions after their fire chief, Norm Osness, was let go.
READ MORE: Thorsby’s volunteer firefighters walk off the job after fire chief’s dismissal
Since that time, Thorsby was paying five firefighters from Leduc to staff its fire hall, which the new Chief Administrative Officer, Jason Gariepy, said couldn’t last for long.
Troy Mutch, president of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association, says the daily rate for this coverage is $625 per hour, which comes to $105,000 a week and represents roughly 85 per cent of the department’s annual operating budget.
On Monday, the Village announced it cannot afford a full-time, paid fire crew, and will now have to rely on neighbouring municipalities to provide services in the case of a fire.
“What would have taken 15 minutes to respond could take 40 minutes or longer depending on the situation,” noted Gariepy in a news release.
“There is no question this is a substantial drop in service level.”
Gariepy explained that while the Village can’t afford a full-time, paid fire crew, it also can’t afford “to have a relationship with the fire chief that lacks accountability and management best practices.”
On Saturday, Feb. 22, Gariepy met with representatives of the volunteer fire department.
The Village presented a list of management expectations, roles and responsibilities, which include:
– Three-year terms for the fire chief with no term limit
– Active participation by the fire chief at Village meetings, budgets, and to provide regular reports to council
– The need for a clear succession plan
– Mandatory dry fire station (no alcohol unless a liquor permit is secured)
– Criminal record checks for all volunteer firefighters
– No direct reporting relationship between the fire chief and direct relatives
Gariepy says the way the fire crew operates needs to be formalized.
“The fire chief has to be accountable to the CAO, and right now, that level of accountability is not existent.”
“So I’m looking to change that. I want the fire chief to feel that he’s part of the management team.”
The firefighters also presented a list of 16 requests, but that list has not been made public.
The volunteer firefighters were not available to speak on camera, but one spoke to Global News over the phone.
He said he and his colleauges are upset with Gariepy’s comments, that they’re being protrayed as “drunken criminals.” He said the comments are unfair and very hurtful.
He added that, prior to Saturday’s meeting, the firefighters were hopeful the situation could be resolved, but after what they call a public attack, the trust is gone and they’re not sure if they’ll go back to their positions.
READ MORE: Thorsby’s volunteer firefighters say they won’t return until fire chief is reinstated
“I don’t get what’s going on, Osness said last week of the abrupt dismissal. “I just don’t understand…and my guys don’t either.”
Kevin Robins, the outgoing interim Chief Administrative Officer, called Osness’ firing “an internal matter.” He admitted, though, that it had nothing to do with his abilities or his performance as a fire chief.
“It was a management issue, and it was an issue relative to his role as part of his management team,” Robins said.
“Something has to happen,” Osness said. “And if it takes the new guy stepping up and saying, ‘OK, let’s get this cleared up and get them back the way they were,’ I mean, my guys would love that. I would like that. But where it stands now, I don’t know what’s going on.”
READ MORE: Controversial appointment in Thorsby riles residents
Gariepy is hopeful they can all come to a resolution.
“It is disappointing that a sense of duty to protect the residents, businesses, and community is being placed at risk because of the dispute,” he said.
“However, based on my conversation with the volunteers, I am hopeful an agreement can be reached.”
The Village is currently searching for a new fire chief. Gariepy said there was a person in mind for the position, but that person reportedly received threatening phone calls from a blocked number, telling them to stay out of the situation.
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