For more than a century, volunteer firefighters have helped protect Port Moody, B.C., but come next year, the tradition is coming to a close.
The City of Port Moody has decided to disband the volunteer firefighters program, citing changes to firefighting legislation, training guidelines and WorkSafe BC requirements, increasing volunteer recruitment costs due to high turnover, declining use of volunteers and increasing availability of mutual aid from other local fire departments.
“The truth is that Port Moody is one of the last municipalities within Metro that still has a volunteer contingency, and as much as we would like to continue with this model, it is not one that can be supported into the future,” Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti wrote in an email to Global News, saying the change is not expected to impact service levels.
“As we move into a modern, full-service department, changes need to be made and this was a strategic decision that was operationalized through the recent budget process.”
On Dec. 17, city council approved the Port Moody Fire Rescue (PMFR) proposed budget, which did not include the volunteer program. Volunteers were informed of the decision in a closed meeting on Dec. 19, according to a post on the association’s Facebook page.
The decision impacts 20 volunteer firefighters who provide supplemental resources and support to the department and are trained for lower risk level exterior operations only.
Port Moody Volunteer Firefighters Association president Tyson Nicholas says his members are disappointed with the decision.
“It’s been a tradition for since 1913, since the city of Port Moody became established to be volunteer firefighters,” said Nicholas, who has been a volunteer for 21 years.
“(Fire Chief Darcey O’Riordan) is a is a wonderful chief to work with and has always been supportive, which made it more difficult finding out that that we were no longer required in our current capacity.”
Following a 2022 review of all its services, PMFR identified a need to add more full-time firefighters over the next decade. Nicholas is unsure if this will lead to some volunteers becoming career firefighters.
He says he and the other volunteers are awaiting a Jan. 9, 2025, meeting with O’Riordan to learn what the city’s priorities are and how they can continue to help moving forward.
“In recognizing the ongoing exceptional contributions by Volunteer Firefighters in supporting community events and fundraisers, PMFR will be working with the volunteers to explore ways to continue to provide volunteer activities associated with the PMFR and recognize the legacy of these valuable volunteers,” Lahti wrote.
In 2023, the Port Moody Fire Department responded to 1,756 incidents, including 533 alarms and structure fires, marking its busiest year ever.
With 50 career staff, three chief officers and one administration assistant, the department’s 2023 operating budget was just over $10.2 million.
— with files from Sarah Macdonald