Lethbridge Firefighters Union calls for citizen vote over integrated services

The Lethbridge Firefighters Union IAFF Local 237 is speaking out following the city’s pursuit of a procurement process attempting to secure a deal to maintain the existing integrated Fire and EMS service.

On Monday, Mayor Blaine Hyggen announced the process has begun with Emergency Health Services, after the city rejected EHS’ demands of meeting new benchmark costs for a new contract.

But the President for IAFF Local 237, Brent Nunweiler, says this tactic poses risks and says the citizens of Lethbridge should be the ones to decide what the city should do next.

The city has a deadline of January 7th to secure a new deal. The previous contract with EHS ended on September 30th, but service continues operating as normal.