Victoria firefighters union to endorse council candidates in upcoming elections

For the first time in its history, the Victoria Firefighter’s Union will be getting involved in the upcoming municipal elections.

In a media release, Victoria Firefighters IAFF Local 730, the Victoria firefighter’s union, announced that it will be highlighting six key priorities for the organization and endorsing candidates who support these priorities.

Local 730 president Josh Montgomery announced the campaign on Thursday, September 11th, saying the decision was driven by issues the association believes are important to public safety, firefighter safety and their ability to serve a rapidly growing and changing Victoria.

“For the first time in our history, the Victoria Firefighters Association is entering the political arena as a third-party advertising sponsor,” said Montgomery in a statement.

“Our members have identified six critical issues that affect public safety, firefighter safety, and our ability to do our jobs to the fullest extent.”

The six priorities listed are as follows:

• Opposing Single-Stair Egress – Opposition to building designs that rely on a single staircase for residents and emergency responders to use in the event of a fire or critical incident.
• High-Rise Emergency Response – Appropriate resources for firefighters to respond effectively above the sixth floor.
• Traffic, Street Design and Emergency Response Times – Transportation and street design decisions must consider their impact on emergency response times.
• Violence Against First Responders –  The ability of firefighters and other first responders to safely provide emergency assistance without facing violence or the threat of assault while performing their job.
• Increased Mental Health Support – A proactive, rather than reactive, approach to the mental health and occupational stress injuries experienced by all first responders.
• Inner Harbour and Victoria West Emergency Response – An increased focus on emergency response resources and the ability to protect residents, businesses, the waterfront and Canada’s busiest water airport.

The association said it has extended an open invite to all candidates to speak with firefighters and have their voices heard.

“This isn’t about political parties or personalities,” said Montgomery.

“Every candidate has the same opportunity to listen to our members, understand the challenges we face and decide where they stand.”

The association says they will be hosting a charity BBQ to offer an opportunity for the community to connect and speak with firefighters about these issues.

The BBQ will take place on Friday, September 11th at 3:30 p.m. at 530 Chatham Street, the location of the old Capital Iron building. Proceeds from the barbeque will support Project Trauma Support, an organization that supports first responders and others affected by occupational trauma.

“We welcome every candidate in this election to come down, support a great cause, meet our members and learn more about the issues affecting Victoria firefighters in our day to day work,” Montgomery said.

“We also encourage members of the public to join us. These are ultimately issues about the safety of the community we all serve.”

Local 730 will also be allowing candidates to publicly sign the pledge to support the priorities listed by the association.

Montgomery says the message is simple—that firefighters will support candidates that support them.