Fire fighter president to address council

Fred LeBlanc, president of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association,will address North Bay city council Monday night about staffing issues at the local fire department.

Two weeks ago council approved a reduction that will result in the minimum on-duty staffing levels going down to 15 from 16, during June, July and August.

Robb Roy, president of the North Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association, said those reductions pose a risk to fire fighters and the public.

Roy said LeBlanc will talk to council to make sure council members and the public are fully informed of the risks of the reductions and reasons for them.

LeBlanc represents 9,500 professional fire fighters in Ontario and has the support of the International Association of Fire Fighters, which represents more than 262,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics across North America.

Roy said he's spoken to Sgt. Mike Tarini, president of the North Bay Police Association, about the situation.

"He told me he and his association are 100% behind our concerns as increased danger to fire fighters and the
public is an increase in danger to his members," Roy said.