It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Fire Fighter / Engineer Travis Pelley after a lengthy battle with cancer. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Funeral arrangements and further details will be shared as they become available. Please keep Travis’s loved ones in your thoughts.

Today, our members laid a wreath on behalf of the Halifax Professional Fire Fighters in memory of Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig Blake — a local Navy Diver and friend who was killed in Afghanistan. We are honoured to remember his sacrifice and all those who have served and continue to serve. We will remember them. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget

We appreciated the opportunity to meet with MP Braedon Clark (Sackville–Bedford–Preston) during the IAFF Canadian Legislative Conference in Ottawa. Our discussion focused on key priorities impacting fire fighters — including violence against first responders, mental health, staffing, and cancer prevention. We’re thankful for the continued dialogue and support from elected officials who recognize that protecting those who protect others starts with action.

From the fire station to the ballpark — teamwork, pride, and passion run deep in Canada.   Your Halifax Professional Fire Fighters are cheering on Canada’s team, the Toronto Blue Jays, as they chase another big win tonight! Whether it’s on the field or on the front lines, we know what it means to work together for something bigger than ourselves. Let’s go Jays! 🇨🇦⚾🔥 #BlueJays #hfxfirefighters #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

🚨 Assaulted While Responding In July 2021, our members from Station 12 (Highfield Park) were assaulted while responding to an alarm call. This is the video from that day. These incidents are not rare. Fire fighters and paramedics continue to face violence on the job far too often. Just yesterday, we shared our support for stronger protections under the Criminal Code. Today, we’re sharing why that’s needed. The stories from our members are not unique — and they’re not slowing down. That’s why, in less than two weeks, three members of our Executive Board will be in Ottawa, joining IAFF leaders from across Canada in pushing Parliament to act. Because no one should fear being attacked for answering a call. #hfxfirefighters #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

Out of 130 career officers, only two applied for the last district chief posting — the entry level to management. That’s a collective condemnation of our senior leadership. When experienced leaders choose not to step up, it’s a culture issue. Fixing that starts with accountability and rebuilding trust. 🎧 Hear the full interview with our president, Brendan Meagher, on the Todd Veinotte Show: youtu.be/mdO0thP0FVA?si=FE0o… #UnfitToLead

We’re sending our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to the members of Clarington Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 3139, after their crew was struck while protecting a collision scene on Highway 401 in Ontario. Fire trucks block traffic for a reason — to protect the responders working to stabilize scenes. This is exactly the kind of incident those trucks are meant to prevent. Thankfully, lives were spared, but injuries still occurred — and this was an avoidable accident. When you see flashing lights, slow down, move over, and pay attention. It’s the law.

For too long, Halifax’s senior fire management group has failed to deliver on the basics: •Ignored safety recommendations •Promised wildfire training and gear still not delivered to the frontlines •Surge staffing still not addressed — even after HRFE’s own Post-Incident Analysis recommended it •Allowed retaliation to replace accountability As reported in the Chronicle Herald: “Chief Ken Stuebing and the current fire management group have lost the trust and support of the fire fighters who serve HRM.” That statement reflects years of lived experience from the professional fire fighters who show up 24/7/365 in service to Halifax. These failures weaken our fire service and put public safety at risk. Halifax deserves leadership that fixes problems, not creates them. The current management team is #UnfitToLead. saltwire.com/nova-scotia/hal…

Tomorrow at 12:30pm AST, history is on the line as our very own #hfxfirefighters Olivia DeMerchant and Team Canada take on England in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final! We stand behind you, cheering loudly and proudly from Halifax. Go make history, ladies—you’ve already made us so proud and inspired a nation.

Certificates and photo-ops don’t put out fires. While management prioritized accreditation and image projects, our fire fighters were left without proper wildfire gear, the promised training, or fully equipped reserve trucks. The result? A fire service that looks polished on paper but isn’t prepared when disaster strikes. When management chooses optics over operations, it shows they’re #UnfitToLead.

🔥 Follow-Up: Critical Lessons from Hanwell Drive Fire 🔥 Last night’s fire in Middle Sackville highlights systemic failures that frontline fire fighters have been warning about for years. These are not one-off issues. 1. Aerial & Tanker Staffing • Both aerial devices and Tanker 11 responded with only 2 fire fighters. • On the initial response, 9 Aerial and 11 Tanker had to combine to form a single crew of 4 just to make a safe attack team. • When aerials were finally deployed, fire fighters had to be pulled from other critical fireground tasks just to operate the equipment. 👉 Manufacturer recommends 3. Industry standard is 4. Halifax = 2. 2. Building Code • This fire is another example of why proposed changes to allow single exit stairwells in building construction must never be permitted. • They put both residents and responders at unacceptable risk. 3. No Upstaffing • Despite a major event tying up resources for hours, no additional fire fighters were called in. • The city was left with significant coverage gaps while our members remained committed on scene — gaps that continued throughout the day. • Only tonight, nearly 20 hours after the fire began, was overtime finally approved for just two fire fighters to provide a fire watch from 8 PM - 8 AM. • This delay left the city exposed while a significant portion of our members and resources were tied up overnight and for most of the day. 4. Effective Firefighting Force (EFF) • According to NFPA 1710, a medium hazard structure (such as a multi-unit residential building) requires 28 fire fighters on scene within 8 minutes. • Based on data reviewed, our response last night fell far short: – 4 fire fighters in 5 minutes – 10 fire fighters in 10 minutes – 14 fire fighters in 12 minutes • Halifax failed to meet even its own reduced benchmark of 14 fire fighters in 11 minutes. • This gap in response puts both residents and fire fighters at significantly increased risk. This fire demanded everything our members could give — and they delivered. But systemic under-staffing and failures to backfill during major events left our members set up to fail before the first truck even responded. Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by this devastating fire. Management will call this an “extraordinary” fire. We call it what it is: a predictable failure of leadership. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

Today we remember Fire Fighter Paul “Sam” Samuel Joseph London — someone whose bravery, strength, and deep love for his family defined every part of who he was. On July 9, 2019, Sam tragically lost his life at Drysdale Falls while rescuing his son from a whirlpool. In his final moments, he showed the same selflessness and bravery he carried every day in his 15 years of service as a Halifax Professional Fire Fighter, based out of Station 18 in Westphal. He was a dedicated husband to Tracy, and a deeply loving father to Joseph, Nicholas, and Gabrielle. Nothing made him prouder than watching his kids play sports or spending time with his family. He was loyal, hard working, and full of heart. The kind of person who showed up for others without needing recognition. Sam wasn’t just a fire fighter - he was a genuine, humble, and kind hearted soul. He was intelligent, witty, and steady. A man of few words, but when he spoke, it was with thoughtfulness and humour that made people listen and laugh. He had a quiet confidence that made those around him feel safe, both on the job and in life. Sam’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched, through his courage, compassion, and the love he poured into everything he did. We will never forget his bravery, his laughter, and his light. A fire fighter, a friend, a father — forever in our hearts. We miss him deeply. We honour him always.

🚒 Making Moments Matter This past Sunday, our members welcomed a young patient and their family for a fire station tour at nearby Station 2. When we learned that other children at the IWK wanted to visit but were unable to, our members didn’t hesitate. Despite the weather, they brought the tour to them—rolling up with one of our aerials and setting up outside the hospital to wave, say hello, and brighten some very tough days. We’re proud of the compassion and care our members show, both on and off duty. #hfxfirefighters #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

🚨 Same Fire Truck. Same Problem. Twice. Over just 8 days, #hfxfirefighters responded to two major apartment fires—on Primrose Street (June 16) and Springhill Road (June 28)—where our aerial trucks were critical to the operation. Each of our aerial trucks only have 2 professional fire fighters on board. But it takes at least 3 to meet manufacturer guidelines, and 4 to meet the industry standard. That means every time we use an aerial, we have to pull fire fighters off other urgent tasks to make it work. 📉 Decades of research back these staffing standards. We shouldn’t need to be lucky to be effective. It’s time to stop compromising fire fighter and public safety. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty #SafeStaffing #NFPA1710

✅ OSTREA LAKE WILDFIRE – EVACUATION ORDER LIFTED Residents in the affected area are now permitted to return home. ⚠️ While the situation has stabilized, we encourage everyone to stay prepared in case conditions change. It’s never too early to plan ahead. Use this emergency go-bag checklist to make sure your household can move quickly and safely if needed. #hfxfirefighters

🚨 URGENT: An out-of-control wildfire is burning in the Ostrea Lake area. Homes are being threatened, evacuations are in place, and firefighting resources are being rapidly deployed. The head of the fire is moving toward Highway 7. Please avoid the area. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available. #hfxfirefighters

🔥 WILDFIRE UPDATE – OSTREA LAKE 🔥 Evacuations are now underway for several streets in the Ostrea Lake area as the wildfire continues to grow and move toward Highway 7. 🚨 Current evacuated streets include: •Birchwood Ln •Lailia Ln •Reflection Lane •Heselton Dr The fire remains out of control, estimated at 35 hectares and growing. Homes are threatened and additional resources are responding.

🔥 WILDFIRE UPDATE – OSTREA LAKE 🔥 The fire was first reported at 13:22 with an initial single-unit response. It has since grown rapidly and remains out of control. 🚒 Current resources on scene include: Stations 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 36, 38 Tac 8, 12, 24 | DC3 | PC East | PCV 5 East & West Communications Trailer | DNR | Air support HRFE fire crews are currently assigned structure protection only. All fire fighters have been ordered out of the woods for safety. Helicopters are making progress, but the situation remains serious. ⚠️ Please continue to avoid the area. We will share more updates as information becomes available.

At 9:39 AM, #hfxfirefighters responded to reports of a fire in a three-storey apartment building in Dartmouth. Our members arrived to heavy fire on a second-floor balcony that had extended to the floor above. Our members quickly went to work, with an aggressive fire attack supported by an aerial. A second alarm was required to bring the fire under control. This same building was the site of a major third-alarm fire in 2018. Our aerials only have two professional fire fighters—below both industry and manufacturer recommendations. To operate them properly on scenes like this, fire fighters must be pulled from other units, leaving other critical fire ground tasks short. Robbing Peter to pay Paul isn’t how a fire service should function. In 2024, HRM met its own response time standards for an effective firefighting force just 54.5% of the time—and those standards already fall short of NFPA recommendations. Staffing our aerials with a full crew of four fire fighters would not only improve safety on scene but also help boost these response numbers. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty 📸 @HfxMda