About the Fire Department

MISSION STATEMENT:

"To protect life, property, and the environment through education, prevention, public-safety communications, fire fighting, rescue, and medical services."

The City of Brandon has a much-envied dual service department that provides both Fire Protection and Ambulance Service. The department serves a population of approximately 53,230 in Brandon and approximately 7000 living in the four outlying municipalities of Cornwallis, Elton and Oakland-Wawanesa. This is a total service area of 1,255 square kilometres.

The Department has a total staff complement of 72, headed by Chief Terry Parlow, and Deputy Chiefs Jason Potter & Marc Lefebvre. The department has two Training Officers, four Fire Prevention Inspectors/Officers, 60 Firefighter/Paramedics and three Administrative staff.  All Firefighter/Paramedics are cross-trained as both Level II Firefighters and Primary Care Paramedics upon hiring and later licensed to Technician Paramedics.

Brandon Firefighter/Paramedics are represented by the IAFF Union Local #803. On behalf of its members, they negotiate a collective agreement with the City, (excluding the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Administration staff, Public-Safety Communications Centre Director, and Manager), setting out such things as salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Members work a schedule that is based around five-platoons. Four groups are on shift for two-10 hour days followed by two-14 hour nights and then they are off for four days. The fifth group operates on a 12-hour day shift for four days followed by four days off. This averages out to 42 hours a week.

Apparatus

Fire trucks are known as "apparatus" around the Fire Department.

Each piece of apparatus and its respective equipment are routinely checked to ensure that everything is operating as designed. Any defects are repaired before being returned to service.

All apparatus are placed on an ageing schedule. During the active life of each piece, money is put aside in anticipation of replacing the unit in the future. As apparatus and major equipment ages, it is replaced through a committee and tender process. The committee establishes a framework of needs and wants for the particular unit and then works within the budget to ensure that the apparatus tendered for and purchased will meet the needs of the City of Brandon and service the community.

Brandon Fire & Emergency Services takes pride in the care of our apparatus and equipment. Properly working equipment can mean the matter of life and death when responding to an emergency.