Halifax Council Unanimously Backs Long-Term Strategy for Fire and Emergency Services
Halifax Regional Council passed two motions introduced by Councillor Janet Steele to develop a long-term service and resource strategy for Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency, addressing historical underfunding and rapid population growth.
Halifax Regional Council unanimously passed two motions on Tuesday to develop a long-term service and resource strategy for Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency. Councillor Janet Steele introduced the motions, asking municipal staff to create the plan. 
Steele stated that the initiative aims to provide more predictability, transparency, and planning ahead for council, residents, and firefighters.
The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Union praised the council's decision, stating that the service has been underfunded since amalgamation. Union President Brendan Meagher attributed current capability deficits to contracting the service during the first 20 years after amalgamation.
Meagher called for significant increases in staffing and improvements to firefighting training for high-rise fires as part of the new strategy.
Councillor Tony Mancini linked insufficient fire resourcing to broader issues of rapid municipal growth and infrastructure concerns. The potential catastrophic economic impact if emergency response is not properly invested in was also highlighted during discussions. 
The approved strategy seeks to address capability deficits caused by historical underfunding and accommodate the municipality's significant population growth, while improving predictability and transparency for future planning.