Tensions are still high as Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency mulls changes to its service delivery model that could affect staffing arrangements at some stations.
Fire Chief Doug Trussler is pushing for a new model that would see, among other things, staffing at Fire Station 13 on King Street in Dartmouth be handled by volunteer firefighters during overnight, weekend and statutory holiday shifts.
About 150 people gathered in Dartmouth Wednesday evening to discuss the proposal and many were unhappy about it.
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“I’m extremely concerned about the safety of the residents in this district should the chief get his way,” said Dartmouth Centre councillor Gloria McCluskey.
McCluskey has been strongly against any changes to the downtown Dartmouth station, citing concerns about an aging population and old wooden buildings.
Trussler has insisted any service received from the King Street station is a “bonus” because research suggests there are massive overlaps with nearby stations.
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Halifax Fire training and safety division chief David Meldrum is confident volunteers can handle the workload.
“The standards are exactly the same,” he said. “There’s only one training standard for firefighters and the core skills are the same.”
Halifax Regional Council will debate the proposal at its next meeting on Tuesday.
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