Noah Freedman

THUNDER BAY — The union representing forest firefighters in Ontario says the province’s aviation, forest fires and emergency services branch is inadequately prepared for the 2024 fire season. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union alleges that Aviation Forest Fires and Emergency Services has “a retention crisis” in which there are almost no experienced staff left in the program. “Ontario was short roughly 12 per cent of its crews in 2022, and 26 per cent in 2023,” said Noah Freedman, vice-president of OPSEU local 703, and fire crew leader. “It’s getting worse because, though we have no problem hiring 18 and 19-year-olds, the lack of experience means we have no one to lead those crews. The AFFES certainly doesn’t want to acknowledge this.” …He said the difficulty in retaining firefighters arises from a combination of factors, primarily that the job is demanding and requires a lot of time away from family. But compensation is also a big issue.