TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 21, 2025 Report No. FIRE-25-006
TO: Council
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Trial of Temporary Firefighters to Reduce Overtime
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve a six-month trial to hire two temporary full-time firefighters in August 2025, for the purpose of measuring the impact on overtime costs and departmental wellness; and that staff report back to Council with the results of the trial, including an evaluation of operational effectiveness, wellness outcomes, and financial impact, as described in the staff report FIRE-25-006.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report recommends a six-month trial of hiring two temporary full-time firefighters to reduce unsustainable overtime costs and evaluate the operational benefits of this approach. In addition to comparing regular staffing costs versus overtime, the trial will also monitor wellness, shift coverage, and apparatus availability as secondary indicators. The trial provides a low-risk, time-limited opportunity to assess the viability of augmenting core staffing in a cost-effective manner.
BACKGROUND:
As outlined in the staff presentation related to levels of service provided earlier in this of Council (on July 21, 2025), Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is facing growing operational demands due to rising call volumes, overlapping incidents, and regulatory requirements. In response to these pressures, the department is currently staffing a minimum of six suppression firefighters per shift, with four assigned to the Engine and two to the Ladder/Rescue apparatus. This approach supports interior operations, mutual aid commitments, and compliance with the department's declared Full-Service level.
At present, this staffing level is being maintained largely through the use of overtime. This has enabled EFRS to meet deployment and safety requirements, but it is not financially or operationally sustainable over the long term.
Al...
Click here for full text