The president of the Halifax fire union says the chief of Halifax Fire has his priorities wrong and needs to go.
Ken Stuebing has been the Halifax Fire Chief for eight years.
Brendan Meagher tells our newsroom that the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters have tried for years to bring up issues on Stuebing but continue to see what Meagher describes as a “growing indifference” over member’s concerns.
“We’ve seen him tolerate behavior from managers that no workplace would think is acceptable. So, you know, it’s a combination of so many things,” says Meagher. “We need an actual leader that shows care and concern for the communities and the people that provide the service as well.”
He adds, staffing remains an issue, especially when it comes to high-demand events such as wildfires or a three-alarm fire.
“When we followed up on what was actually being done to prepare for the wildfire season for 2025, it looked like there was really nobody guiding or prioritizing that initiative,” says Meagher.
Three wildfires caused evacuations this season including Ostrea Lake, Susies Lake as well as hundreds from the Long Lake wildfire in Annapolis County that destroyed 20 homes.
In addition to that, a massive fire happened at an apartment building in Middle Sackville, Sunday night, and Meagher says, no additional members were called in to help.
“Not one truck was up staffed to backfill for all of those people,” adds Meagher.
Hiring staff
Stuebing has hired staff that Meagher feels are not well suited for their positions and has inadequately prepared members with lack of training.
This, he says, has members angry and frustrated.
“We’re happy to provide medical response in the way that we do and we’re always happy to train and improve our skills, but we feel that this is a sales pitch that lacks sincerity,” says Meagher. “We’ve seen this chief project an image to the public that doesn’t match the decisions and directions that he gives internally.”
Meagher says their concerns also about the future, considering the people he’s put into high-ranking positions.
“We’ve got great concerns that when this chief does leave, the people closest to the top left to take over, are not going to be equipped or well suited for the task, either,” adds Meagher.
“We think that our city council needs to be aware. Now we think that the public needs to be aware.”
