City continues to seek vaccination for all firefighters
Poll
Yes
An off-again on-again effort to get firefighters vaccinated in Medicine Hat is moving forward, say local officials who report few of the same problems cropping up elsewhere in the province.
That includes complaints that Alberta Health Services and some pharmacy clinics aren’t always accepting letters proving employment as medical first responder, as required by the Alberta Ministry of Health.
“We did issue letters to all of our suppression members,” said Medicine Hat Fire Service Chief Brian Stauth. “There’s been some mixed results, but there’s also a lot of positive commentary from across the province.”
Staffing evaluation could mean layoffs for firefighters
Poll
Yes
Medicine Hat Fire Service may be reducing its workforce without compromising safety, says the chief.
“The city is evaluating staffing models that do not compromise firefighter or resident safety, and at the same time find opportunities for cost reduction,” said Brian Stauth in an email. “The 2020 Fire Service Strategic Plan was adopted by city council on Jan.4 and commits to upholding current response time targets and the current number of firefighters (14) on duty.”
The union representing Medicine Hat firefighters was notified of possible layoffs in accordance with the collective agreement, said Stauth.