Photo: CKRW file.
Whitehorse, YT – Yukon’s volunteer firefighters are fighting fires in expired gear with the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs stating that 80 percent of their equipment no longer meets safety standards.
Yukon Party MLA Brad Cathers says despite repeated calls for action, firefighters have not received the necessary replacements, forcing them to respond to emergencies in expired gear.
“They are consciously making that decision, even though they’re not happy about it, because of their commitment to their fellow citizens and to their community but that is not a situation they should ever have been put in,” said Cathers.
In response, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn confirmed that two-thirds of the required protective gear has been ordered, with the remaining gear to be ordered soon. He added that the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board is investigating the current equipment to ensure it is safe for use until the replacements arrive.
“We’ll take a look and we’ll see what the records are that the firefighters have kept of that gear, and then we’ll assess whether or not that gear can still be used or whether it has to be taken immediately out of play,” said Mostyn.
Kate White, Yukon NDP Leader, expressed concern over the use of expired gear and says this has been a problem for a long time.
