IAFF Local 2779, Sydney N.S.

05/26/2026

Cape Breton firefighters' union supports staging members in rural areas

Idea aims to help improve access to emergency services across CBRM

Tom Ayers · CBC News · Posted: May 26, 2026 6:00 AM ADT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

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The front of a building with a sign saying Sydney Fire Station No. 1, with a logo near the roof.
CBRM's new fire station in downtown Sydney. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
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The union representing professional firefighters in Sydney, N.S., says staging its members in rural areas could help improve access to emergency services across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and one volunteer fire chief says he's open to hearing more about the idea.

Members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2779 are concerned over the uneven level of emergency response available from volunteer departments outside the city, said president Dave McLaughlin.

"Some places have full fire services, some have moderate ones and some don't have the same as others, so we have a massive gap in service delivery across the municipality," he said.

Volunteer fire departments in CBRM decide for themselves whether they also want to cover motor vehicle accidents or medical events and not all have the specialized equipment necessary to answer those types of calls.

McLaughlin said the municipality should station a truck and equipment with four paid firefighters in a rural community in each of CBRM's three geographic divisions — North, Central and East — because union members are fully trained first responders and are available around the clock.

That would put them closer to where they may be needed and improve response times for those occasions when volunteers are not immediately available.

Dave McLaughlin is the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union in Sydney. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
"So regardless of what type of an emergency, be it a fire-related emergency, a medical-related emergency, a vehicle extrication … if you were out in a community like Christmas Island … that zone truck would leave North immediately and head for the direction of Christmas Island to aid and better assist the volunteers," McLaughlin said.

The union has not determined what the idea would cost, but the union president said a uniform fire tax could help generate revenue.

More stories from Cape Breton
"Our take as a union, sometimes you have to look at public safety over cost," McLaughlin said.

Rod Beresford, chief of the Westmount Volunteer Fire Department and chair of the regional chiefs association, said he had not heard of the union's proposal, but said it merits discussion.

"If in fact this does go ahead, I think what's important is that volunteer stations get to have some input, largely so they can say, 'How can we contribute to this?'

"What matters the most from our perspective is that the residents of the municipality are protected as best as possible and as quickly as possible."

A man with thin grey hair wearing a black firefighter shirt with red and gold shoulder patches leans over a counter while speaking.
Volunteer fire chief Rod Beresford said he had not heard of the union's proposal, but said it merits discussion. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
During a discussion at council last month over volunteer fire departments using their equipment to fill private swimming pools, Coun. Gordon MacDonald said it would be difficult for CBRM to exert any authority over the rural departments because CBRM has a "willy-nilly" fire service.

Volunteer firefighters and chiefs were upset by the comment, suggesting it could have an impact on morale, recruitment and retention, but Beresford said the union's latest suggestion would not necessarily make things worse.

CBRM considers crackdown on firefighters filling private swimming pools
"With really open dialogue and a fair chance to have a conversation, I think we'll all get to the same place, hopefully sooner rather than later," he said.

CBRM's director of fire services was unavailable for an interview on Monday, but said he is open to discussing the idea as part of a fire service review that's currently underway.

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05/26/2026

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/firefighters-union-supports-staging-members-in-rural-areas-9.7211841

The union representing professional firefighters in Sydney, N.S., says staging its members in rural areas could help improve access to emergency services across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and one volunteer fire chief says he's open to hearing more about the idea.

05/24/2026

IAFF Local 2779 would like to congratulate 4 of our members for receiving this medal on behalf of EHS for their exemplary service during a recent medical emergency in Sydney. Congratulations to Ben Tatlock, Michael Boone Tyson Kelloway and Bailey Dempsey.

05/13/2026

Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Official Statement from IAFF Local 2779
The members of IAFF Local 2779 would like to provide some clarification regarding how fire protection services are currently delivered throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
One of the unique challenges within the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service is that, unlike many municipalities across Canada is that we do not operate under one fully integrated fire department structure, CBRM consists of several individual fire departments operating in different ways and with varying service levels. While all departments work extremely hard to protect their communities, this structure can create differences in service delivery across the municipality.
As a result, some communities currently receive different levels of emergency response services than others. For example, certain departments provide comprehensive Medical First Responder (MFR) services for major medical emergencies and cardiac arrests, while others may provide limited MFR response or no medical response services at all. In situations where Emergency Health Services (EHS) resources are unavailable or delayed, this can unfortunately impact the level of immediate assistance available in some communities.
In addition to fire suppression, some departments also provide specialized services such as vehicle extrication, high-angle rescue, hazardous materials response (HAZMAT), drone operations, and other technical rescue capabilities. However, the availability of these services varies throughout the municipality depending on local resources, staffing, and training capacity.
Another ongoing concern is staffing. In many areas, staffing levels have remained largely unchanged since municipal amalgamation in 1995, despite significant increases in population demands, emergency call volume, and service expectations. Some departments are also facing challenges related to recruitment, retention, and maintaining training standards required for modern emergency response.
For example, the Sydney Fire Department has evolved significantly over the past several decades. Prior to 2018, Sydney primarily operated as a traditional fire suppression department. Today, it provides a full range of emergency services offered within the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service, while annual call volumes have increased dramatically. At the same time, the closure of the Whitney Pier Fire Station reduced the number of stations serving the area from three to two, while staffing levels have remained unchanged despite the increased workload.
Similarly, communities such as New Waterford, Glace Bay, and North Sydney continue to rely heavily on volunteer firefighters, with career staffing levels remaining limited. Volunteer firefighters throughout CBRM play a critical and valued role in protecting their communities, and the entire fire service depends greatly on their dedication and commitment.
For many years, IAFF Local 2779 has advocated for increased staffing and a more integrated approach to fire protection across the municipality in order to improve response capabilities, firefighter safety, and overall service delivery to residents. Multiple studies and reviews conducted since amalgamation have consistently identified similar concerns and opportunities for improvement.
Our Local strongly believes there is an opportunity to continue building a stronger, more sustainable regional fire service for the future — one that supports both career and volunteer firefighters while enhancing service delivery for all residents of CBRM. We would also welcome opportunities to create additional firefighting positions locally, helping retain skilled firefighters, recent fire service graduates, and Cape Bretoners who may wish to return home to work in their communities.
We encourage residents with questions or concerns regarding fire protection services to contact their local councillor or fire service management for additional information.
IAFF Local 2779 remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to support safe, effective, and professional emergency services throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.


Respectfully

Dave McLaughlin
President
IAFF Local 2779
Cape Breton Regional Firefighters Association

04/26/2026

On behalf of Cape Breton Regional Fire Services Local 2779, we extend our deepest condolences to the members of St. John’s Fire Department Local 1075 during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you, your families, and all those affected by this loss.
May you find strength in one another, comfort in your shared brotherhood and sisterhood, and peace in the memories of what an amazing man Jimmy O’Toole was.
He will be remembered for his dedicated service and the passionate leadership he brought to his department and the IAFF
St. John's Fire Fighters

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Miramichi NB, IAFF Local 5087 in reaching an agreement to add 10 new Career firefighting positions in their local.

Media Release
Miramichi Professional Firefighters Association
April 14, 2026

The Miramichi Professional Firefighters Association is proud to announce that an agreement has been reached with the City of Miramichi that will see the addition of 10 new career firefighter positions.

This milestone represents a significant advancement in fire protection and emergency response services for the Miramichi community.

After years of dedicated advocacy, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Mayor and Council, CAO Greg Sargent, HR Director Mandi Grantmyre, and Fire Chief Melanson for recognizing the importance of firefighter safety and making community safety a top priority.

Statement from Chris Ross, IAFF 15th District Vice President:

"This agreement marks a pivotal moment for public safety in Miramichi. The addition of ten firefighters is a testament to what can be achieved when a city and its firefighters work together with a shared vision for a safer community. I especially want to commend Fire Chief Stephen Melanson for his steadfast advocacy and leadership since his arrival. Chief Melanson’s commitment to pursuing industry-recognized staffing standards is a vision we share at the IAFF. The Chief and the City are taking proactive steps to ensure that when the residents of Miramichi call for help, their fire department is equipped to respond effectively, safely, and with the necessary force to save lives.

Statement from Nathan Ashfield, Secretary-Treasurer, Atlantic Provinces Professional Fire Fighters Association (APPFFA):

“Last summer, the Atlantic Provinces Professional Fire Fighters Association launched the ‘4 Firefighters for Your Safety’ campaign, grounded in evidence-based data to support stronger emergency response.
We recognize that some municipalities face a significant gap to reach this standard, which makes meaningful progress all the more important.
This agreement is a substantial step forward for the City of Miramichi. Increased staffing and a commitment to continued improvement reflect a collaborative approach to enhancing public and firefighter safety.
We commend the City of Miramichi, IAFF Local 5087, and Fire Chief Stephen Melanson, and encourage continued progress toward four firefighters on every frontline apparatus.”

03/19/2026

Our members are currently working an active incident on Grandlake Rd. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route.