Virus safety remarks put firefighters union boss in hot water

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/04/2020 (2204 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The head of Winnipeg’s firefighters union will soon face a disciplinary hearing after calling for substantial changes to cope with COVID-19, according to a document obtained by the Free Press.

The notice addressed to Alex Forrest, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, notes he will be required to attend the hearing, over allegations he violated a city-union agreement relating to respectful workplace rules.

The hearing relates to a March 23 letter Forrest wrote to Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief John Lane, which Forrest also posted online and shared with media.

“You are required to attend a disciplinary hearing to discuss the March 23rd letter and your related media comments as they all relate to the alleged violation,” the WFPS notice states.

In the March 23 letter, Forrest called for major WFPS changes that would ensure fire crews and paramedics can operate “in silos” to reduce their risk of COVID-19 exposure.

He suggested WFPS designate some fire-paramedic stations to serve only fire-rescue emergencies and restrict others to focus on non-virus-related emergency medical service. He also said ambulances that transport patients with flu-like or coronavirus symptoms should be moved out of fire-paramedic stations and placed at assessment centres or medical facilities instead.

“This protects against catastrophic exposure that could deplete the workforce,” Forrest said at the time.

Letter to Health Minister Cam Friesen. @wpgfirefighter @globalwinnipeg @ctvwinnipeg @CityNewsWPG @winnipegsun @WinnipegNews @CBCManitoba pic.twitter.com/NaDcdJEaXF

— United Firefighters of Winnipeg (@UFFW867) March 23, 2020

The WFPS didn’t respond to Forrest’s requests to reorganize its operations at the time but stressed procedures were in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including pre-screening patients for flu-like symptoms, the use of protective gear and ambulance disinfection.

Forrest declined to comment on the disciplinary hearing. He did post a message to union members on Twitter Tuesday to note the UFFW office was closing due to pandemic health orders. In that message, the union leader referred to his relationship with the city.

Notice to the members from President Forrest. pic.twitter.com/behjB1IZOe

— United Firefighters of Winnipeg (@UFFW867) March 31, 2020

“Many politicians and our administrators in our city do not believe I should be so vocal in our concerns. If they wish to take action against me and your union, this will not stop our efforts to ensure you are as safe as possible through this crisis,” wrote Forrest.

Felicia Wiltshire, the city’s communications director, declined comment, deeming the issue a “confidential human resource matter.”

The incident isn’t the first time Forrest has been questioned by city officials. In 2018, news broke that city taxpayers had paid most, and sometimes all, of his salary and benefits. At that point, city taxpayers covered 60 per cent of the union leader’s compensation. City council voted in June 2018 to seek a new agreement to replace the deal. The city confirmed Tuesday no new agreement has been reached.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca