Monday September 16, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
BC is negotiating earlier pensions for wildland firefighters to help align their benefits with those of other public-safety occupations while they protect communities from increasingly challenging wildfire activity.
“We owe a deep dept of gratitude to the selfless firefighters whose brave and heroic efforts have got us through some of the most devastating wildfire seasons on record,” said Premier David Eby.
“More than that, firefighters deserve fair pay and security in retirement, so they are treated with dignity – whether it’s at the end of a response call or the end of their careers.”
This announcement comes on the first morning of the 2024 Union of BC Municipalities convention that runs September 16 to 20 in Vancouver.
Agreement with BCGEU:
The Province and the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) have reached an agreement-in-principle to enhance the pensions for wildland firefighting personnel employed directly by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
The change will give BCWS wildland firefighting personnel retirement provisions like people in other public-safety focused careers, such as ambulance paramedics and corrections workers. The personnel could then receive their earliest pensions up to five years earlier than regular members of the Public Service Pension Plan.
Since 2022, the BCWS has increased its permanent full-time staff by 55%.
As of the 2024 fire season, approximately 1,300 wildland firefighting crew positions were employed directly with the BC Wildfire Service.
Long-term recognition:
“This is a priority for the BC Wildfire Service. I’m very happy to see it come about,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, “We need our firefighters more than ever. This represents our long-term recognition of the enduring importance of their work.”
It takes approximately two months for a new recruit to become a fully-trained wildfire fighter. [LINK: information about becoming a wildfire fighter in BC]
Changes to kick-in in 2026:
The Province and the BCGEU hope to finalize the agreement in early 2025 with changes taking effect in 2026. While eligibility is still being determined, the majority of workers at the BCWS would qualify.
“Wildfire fighters take immense risks and deserve fair compensation,” said Paul Finch, president, BCGEU.
“Today’s announcement marks a major victory for our members who have fought tirelessly for a pension and compensation package that allows them to build sustainable careers. This change will help retain a stable, experienced workforce, ready to protect our communities when we need them most,” said Finch in a news release.
Actions B.C. has taken to improve wildland firefighter recruitment and training include the expansion of a dedicated training and recruitment model for First Nations communities, extending the hiring process for new recruits, and making it easier for people from rural and remote areas to get involved in wildfire response.
Wildfire budget:
With Budget 2024, B.C. is investing $154 million more in operating funding and $21 million in capital funding over the next three years to support additional wildfire response, recovery and infrastructure resources.
===== RELATED:
- UBCM seeks last-minute nominations for president (September 11, 2024)
- Sooke launches info portal about regional wildfire (July 26, 2024)
- TD donates $250K for wildfire prevention & disaster relief (May 7, 2024)
- Big wildfire hit on BC budget in 2023 but economic recovery is strong (September 27, 2023)
- Municipal firefighters head to the wildland interface (August 23, 2023)
- Eby visits wildfire areas along with federal emergency preparedness minister (August 22, 2023)
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