Winnipeg firefighters struggle to keep up with increasing number of fires

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Peggy

The number of vacant building fires in Winnipeg is set to break a record for the second year in a row, as the head of the firefighters’ union warns members are reaching their limit.

The number of fire responses has been on the rise for several years, according to new data released by the city.

In 2023, the city had a record 156 fires at vacant properties — a 38 per cent increase from the previous year. As of the end of June this year, the city had recorded 114 vacant building fires.

The total number of fires has also increased. Firefighters responded to 3,389 fires last year — an increase of 33 per cent over 2022, and 87 per cent higher than 2019, according to the city.

The city attributes most of the increase to a rise in outdoor fires — like grass fires and those involving trash containers and other debris.

But Tom Bilous, the president of the city’s firefighters’ union, the United Firefighters of Winnipeg, said that’s not what’s putting strain on members.

“Those smaller fires are not the big drivers,” Bilous said.

“It’s the structure fires — I like to refer to them as fires of significance, where you’re using multiple apparatus, for multiple hours. That has a ripple effect across the whole city.”

The strain has led to firefighters refusing overtime, leading to increased response times, as units are taken out of service.

“I’ve never seen it [before],” he said.

“I’m in my 31st year and it’s just been in the last couple of years, and you know, the members are just saying: ‘Hey, I have a family, I have my own health …'”

Deputy fire chief Scott Wilkinson said more firefighters are not necessarily the answer.

“More staff is always welcome. But right now we’re focusing on our master plan and we’re looking more at prevention,” Wilkinson told reporters.

The city can’t simply throw “more and more firefighters at higher response. We need to slow down these numbers to make it more tenable for our team,” he said.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city has increased security measures for vacant building owners in an effort to cut down on fires.

“I’ve also asked our staff to look at finding ways to expedite the process for taking title without compensation. If the city needs to go in and take hold of and take title to those properties, then we need to look at doing that.”

There are around 700 buildings on the city’s vacant and derelict buildings list, Gillingham said.

Meanwhile, the city is asking people to report debris and illegal dumping by calling 311.