Firefighters have gotten a helping hand from the Ministry of Labour who announced fighters can double hat.
Double hatting is the idea that full-time firefighters across Ontario can volunteer with smaller stations and combat fires in smaller communities that operate on a mostly volunteer basis. Before the changes to Bill 57, firefighters that attempted to double hat would be brought to a union tribunal and potentially convicted, suspended and fined. in some cases, the firefighters were let go from their full-time position.
Double hatting has been a highly contentious topic, with some unions suggesting that the full-time station is liable if the firefighter gets hurt while on the job for the volunteer station. According to an interview with the Globe and Mail, Minister of Labour Laurie Scott says “It didn’t seem correct that this was allowed, that someone on their own time wasn’t allowed to volunteer in their community.”
Dysart et al Fire Chief Mike Iles spoke with My Haliburton now.com and he says this a welcome change in smaller communities, but adds that it is a good thing for all volunteer firefighting departments. Iles says that this announcement was a long time coming.
Iles explains that double hatters still have to join the fire department and become an employee of the municipality. He goes on to say “we have full-time residents that live in the area that are full-time firefighters that are afraid to volunteer.”
Iles expressed that currently Dysart et al has 30 volunteer firefighters, and suggests this change opens a lot of doors that are already there.