Violations found at Adjala-Tos Fire Department

Ministry of Labour wraps up investigation
By Brad Pritchard Alliston Herald Jan 20, 2011
ADJALA-TOSORONTIO – The Township of Adjala-Tosorontio is facing a list of non-compliance orders from the Ministry of Labour in relation to the slew of workplace safety concerns brought up in the summer by former members of the volunteer fire department.
Ministry spokesperson William Lin told the Herald in an email that four field visits to the township were conducted during December and January. As a result, eight orders were issued on Jan. 5 that outline how the township was “not in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
While no fines were levied, the township has been given various deadlines to meet the ministry’s requirements.
One of the more general orders was to “provide all Adjala-Tosorontio Fire Department (ATFD) officers with information, instruction and supervision regarding incident command and control arrangements.” Others focused on improved instruction and supervision of use of personal protective equipment (like respirators).
It was also stated that “every precaution reasonable” be taken when it comes to salvage and overhaul operations and in rescue situations where the hazard of contact with energized hydro wires exists.
The ministry would not comment on the specific concerns brought up by the firefighters.
The dates for compliance for these orders range from Wednesday, Jan. 26 to June 1.
Meanwhile, the four firefighters who raised the concerns last summer continue to wait for the township-organized hearing regarding their termination to take place.
The hearing was supposed to happen last Thursday (Jan. 13) but was cancelled for the second time at the last minute.
At January’s council meeting, Fire Chief Wayne McIsaac said members of the fire department would be undergoing college level training courses in February and March. When asked if the courses were related to the investigation, Adjala-Tosorontio CAO Eric Wargel said they were, but that the training had been established before the complaints were filed with the township.
“That was already training we worked out and planned for… it actually identified the same issues,” Wargel said.
He said the Ministry of Labour was satisfied that the identified issues would be addressed by the training courses. As for what the courses entail, they are supposed to focus on “improved training in accordance with the operating guidelines” and “incident management.”
Shortly after the firefighters raised various workplace safety concerns in June, the township conducted some form of internal investigation, however it’s still unclear as to how the investigation was handled.
Then, during the second week of November, the men received letters of termination. In addition to lieu of notice payments they were owed, the firefighters were also offered a total of $23,050 between the four of them to sign non-disclosure agreements to never speak publicly about the issue.
The money was declined and the firefighters opted to fight the township’s decision.
Members of council have said they refuse to comment while the legal matter is being settled.
Wargel said he expects a report from the investigation should be made public, or failing that the township should offer a statement regarding the matter.
“There could very well be… I don’t know at this time but I could expect a report will be issued,” he said. “Hopefully something will be made available.”