Department Information

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.