Sault Ste. Marie’s fire chief said the local firefighter union asked for 24 hour shifts and they will be expected to work them — without sleep.
The Sault Ste. Marie Professional Fire Fighters Association (SSMPFFA) was recently awarded the ability to work 24 hour shifts by an interest arbitration — the final result of the union’s 2014 contract negotiations with the city — presented during tonight’s city council meeting.
“This is what they requested. They assured us the work could be done in a 24 hour period, that they could be sharp for the 24 hour period,” said fire chief Mike Figliola.
Asked by Ward 5 councillor Frank Fata if the expectation was for firefighters to be awake during an entire 24 hour shift, Figliola responded, “yes I would.”
Reached by phone tonight, SSMPFFA president Marty Kenopic said he is not sure why firefighters would be prevented from sleeping during their shift — because that is already the norm during the current 15-hour shifts and the reason fire halls have beds.
“It’s always a concern that we get proper rehab, especially when we’re fighting fires. We have to circulate the crews through to do the rehab. I would think that concern would be paramount with the fire management,” said Kenopic.