Double-hatting criticized by firefighter's union
Practice involves full-time firefighters spending off hours working as volunteers
Officials in Tecumseh are closely watching a judicial case in Caledon, Ont. because it could have a major impact on who can work in volunteer fire departments across Ontario.
The case involves a practice known as "double-hatting," which involves full-time firefighters working during their off hours at volunteer stations. The practice is common across rural municipalities, including Tecumseh, where two Windsor fire fighters moonlight as volunteers.
"You mean to tell me that a fire fighter whose neighbour's house is burning is just going to sit on his couch and not do anything about it?" asked Mayor Gary McNamara. "They're there because they live in those communities, they love those communities and they want to serve those communities."
Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador are the only two provinces that have such a requirement, according to the mayor.
The Ontario Professional Firefighters Association has a clause in its constitution that full-time professional members can't work as volunteers and is taking six of its members to a tribunal for working in Caledon where they also face fines beginning at $500 per month.
"This has been a long-standing rule within our constitution, it's not much different than other trade unions," said Fred LeBlanc, 13th District vice-president for the International Association of Firefighters, the parent organization of the firefighter's union in Ontario.
He added the union is mostly focused on "growing communities with growing tax bases" where there should be a "natural growth of fire services."
"Our local presidents aren't going out with torches lit in the cloak of darkness to try and find out what they're doing in their off time," said LeBlanc. "When concerns get raised and they're brought forward to a local and we investigate."
But McNamara argues many communities simply can't afford a full-time fire service. For example, he estimates setting one up in Tecumseh would cost $3 million.
"That's about a 25 per cent increase in taxes and would there be any better service than what we're offering today? Absolutely not."
Full-time service not an option for Tecumseh
Tecumseh Deputy Chief Chad Mactier said there's no way the force could support a full-time service based on its current call volume.
Currently, he said the department has 40 volunteers who are paid roughly $30 per hour when they're called in or attend training each Tuesday.
He said so far the force hasn't been contacted about conflicts with their double-hatters, but said having either of them taken away would really hurt.
"Losing anybody is a big hit, but having those firefighters who get that experience on the full-time job is a big asset," he explained. "Not only is it a benefit for us, but they can also take back training they get from us to their full-time career so it helps both ways."