Despite a significant number of COVID-19 cases among its employees over the past two weeks, the Montreal Fire Safety Service (SIM) advocates a rapid return to work for asymptomatic people.
This weekend, SIM began implementing an early return to work for people in administrative segregation without symptoms using daily testing all under a temporary Public Health policy.
“We have had a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, more than since the beginning,” says Chris Ross.
An unprecedented situation, according to the president of the Association des pompiers de Montréal (ADPM), a union representing more than 2,000 firefighters in the metropolitan area.
There are approximately 100 positive members and another 300 in administrative segregation, causing staffing problems.
“And despite that, we continue to have problems with keeping trucks in service,” says Ross.
Since December 18, the SIM has used “for the first time that we can remember” compulsory overtime, including during holidays and vacations.
In the region
COVID-19 has also entered the barracks in the region.
“There are on average between 8 to 10 cases per fire department,” explains Daniel Pépin, president of the Union des pompiers et pompières du Québec, which represents 2,800 firefighters outside the cities of Quebec and Montreal.
He proposes to introduce 24-hour shifts instead of 12 hours, as has been the case for the SIM since the start of the pandemic. This union demand would reduce the number of comings and goings in the barracks and therefore the risk of infection, explains Mr. Pépin. “We would be less likely to have an outbreak.”
“The growing number of cases and outbreaks is waking up. There is no break in service for the moment to my knowledge, but we are monitoring that, ”Daniel Pépin.
Temporary staff remain available to lend a hand to municipal teams across Quebec, reassures Mr. Pépin.
The first responders are already eligible for a third dose of the vaccine, “So we invite our people to go and get vaccinated. ”