MuskokaRegion.com
HUNTSVILLE, Ontario — Huntsville-Lake of Bays fire chief Stephen Hernen has asked the community to take a stand against legislation that prevents career firefighters from volunteering on their own time.
“I don’t think it is appropriate to penalize anyone for volunteering, whether it’s for firefighting or anything else,” said Hernen, who is also the vice-president of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
His comments came after Huntsville council threw its support behind an Association of Municipalities of Ontario recommendation to amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. The amendment would protect career firefighters, who could have their union cards pulled and their jobs taken away if they choose to volunteer in their spare time with another organized fire department.
Full story: Fire chief supports firefighters’ right to volunteer