City says probe into alleged health violation at firefighter party over

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This article was published 13/05/2020 (2354 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says an investigation about whether a firefighter retirement party violated COVID-19 health orders is now over, though some believe the probe is still underway.

On April 27, the WFPS confirmed it was investigating an allegation that a group of firefighters attended a gathering at Station 1 and failed to follow social distancing rules. WFPS said the incident was alleged to have occurred over the previous weekend to celebrate a firefighter’s retirement.

It was also alleged that 30 or 40 people had gathered for the event, which would violate a public health order that limits gathering sizes to a maximum of 10 people.

On Wednesday, city officials said the probe has now ended.

“The investigation is concluded and appropriate actions have been determined,” said Jason Shaw, Winnipeg’s assistant chief of emergency management. “We’ll move forward from there and hope that we can continue to serve the public well.”

Shaw declined to reveal what, if any, penalties the “appropriate actions” included, redirecting questions on that topic to the city’s corporate communications department.

Mayor Brian Bowman stressed the matter was treated as a serious incident.

“When the city has rules in place for the protection and safety of our staff or our residents, we expect that those rules will be followed. This matter has been taken seriously and I understand that action has been taken by human resources,” said Bowman.

Meanwhile, a union leader who represents local firefighters said he believes the investigation is actually still underway.

“We are very confused. We’re aren’t sure what’s going on within the department because we have three meetings scheduled within the next two weeks on the investigation/discipline,” said Alex Forrest, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg.

In an email, WFPS spokesperson Kristin Cuma repeated the city’s view that the investigation is complete.

“An investigation was conducted and we did find merit to the allegations. The investigation has now concluded and appropriate actions have been determined,” wrote Cuma.

She also declined to release further details.

The city has released information on some municipal employee penalties in the past.

Last September, for example, a city probe found merit in allegations that some municipal planning, property and development inspectors wasted hours of their work days on extended breaks and personal chores. The city revealed eight employees were fired and 12 more were penalized, as a result of that investigation.

 

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga