Halifax Firefighters Demand Chief’s Resignation Amid Crisis

BREAKING: The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (HPFF) union has just called for the immediate resignation of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Chief Ken Stuebing amid serious allegations of mismanagement that have compromised public safety. This urgent demand follows a string of incidents that have led to devastating wildfire responses and a severe decline in the effectiveness of fire services across Halifax.

Union President Brendan Meagher voiced these concerns on The Todd Veinotte Show, emphasizing that Stuebing’s refusal to implement a policy for calling in off-duty firefighters has eroded trust and endangered lives. “This chief has repeatedly refused a policy of call-ins of off-duty firefighters,” Meagher stated, adding that instead, Stuebing seems intent on “exploiting volunteers and resources from outside HRM.”

The repercussions of Stuebing’s leadership were starkly evident during the May 2023 Tantallon wildfire, which ravaged the Hammond Plains community and destroyed 151 homes. Due to delayed responses, reinforcements were not called in until the fire had spread into Highland Park, prompting local councillors to demand military assistance at a time when over 200 off-duty firefighters were available. “Weather contained the fire — not leadership,” the union declared.

Furthermore, the ongoing issues continued during the June 22, 2023 Ostrea Lake wildfire, when evacuations were underway but no off-duty firefighters were summoned. “Since the Tantallon wildfire, frustration among our members has only grown,” the HPFF stated. “Our members fought to save homes, while the rest of Halifax was left exposed with no callback system.”

Meagher emphasized that the union has raised these issues with the municipality’s representatives, but there appears to be a lack of understanding regarding the severity of complaints. “But our members are telling us,” he said, “and they don’t want this anymore.” The concerns extend beyond operational issues. Complaints have surfaced regarding unaddressed incidents of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic behavior among HRFE managers, leading to a demoralizing environment for qualified operational leaders.

The union’s statement further criticized Stuebing, stating, “Unfortunately, this is indicative of the leadership, or lack thereof, that has been allowed to flourish under Chief Ken Stuebing.” The call for change is not merely about operational effectiveness but about restoring morale within the ranks of firefighters who feel unsupported.

As the situation unfolds, the HPFF union is urging immediate action from city officials and the community at large. The call for Stuebing’s resignation comes at a time when the fire service is facing unprecedented challenges, and the firefighters are demanding accountability and reform.

What’s Next: The HPFF union’s bold call for action will likely spark further discussions within the city council and among Halifax residents. As the fire season approaches, the effectiveness of the fire service will be under intense scrutiny. Residents are urged to stay informed as we continue to monitor this developing story.