Map featuring Lacombe area with streets and highlighted zones

Fully Staffed Fire Engines Make Your Community Safer

Firefighting Requires Full Crews, Every Second Counts

At the Red Deer Firefighters Association, our mission is simple: to protect the lives and property of Red Deer’s residents while ensuring the safety of the Firefighters who serve this community.

The "Dynamic Staffing Model" Is a Threat to Public and Firefighter Safety

The City has introduced what they call a “Dynamic Staffing Model” as a way to reduce overtime costs and promote firefighter wellness. However, no data has been shared to support claims that this approach benefits the health or well-being of frontline personnel — who are now facing increased physical and mental strain due to dangerously low staffing levels.

In fact, a 2010 report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), based on real-world residential fireground experiments, clearly shows that inadequate staffing has severe negative effects on firefighter safety and operational effectiveness during emergencies. Ignoring this research puts both our members and the public at risk.

IMPACT OF ADEQUATE STAFFING

LEARN MORE

Read the Joint Statement Released by the Nation's Leading Career Fire Service Organizations

The City of Red Deer’s decision to implement a "Dynamic Staffing Model" puts both public safety and Firefighter safety at serious risk.

Rather than maintaining full strength crews at all fire stations, the city's Dynamic Staffing Model reduces staffing at Station 2 to unsafe levels. This means that at times:

Crews at Station 2 are operating at half strength, leaving them unable to perform critical fire suppression and rescue tasks safely and effectively.
The Fire Truck at Station 2 is sometimes completely shut down, leaving a significant area of Red Deer without a dedicated fire response unit.
The Ambulance at Station 2 (Medic 2) is sometimes completely shut down, removing an important resource from service.

Fires grow exponentially within minutes—a small fire can double in size every 30 seconds. The longer it takes for a properly staffed fire crew to arrive, the greater the danger to residents, businesses, and first responders. Firefighting is a coordinated effort that requires adequate personnel to perform rescues, contain fires, and ensure safe operations for everyone involved.

In cases of cardiac arrest, every second counts. When the heart stops beating, oxygen-rich blood no longer flows to vital organs. Cells begin to die within 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen, leading to irreversible damage or death. Rapid EMS response times are critical to delivering early CPR, defibrillation, and advanced life support interventions that can restart the heart and preserve brain function. Delays of even a few minutes can mean the difference between life, death, or permanent disability.

When Station 2 is closed, it leaves a large portion of Red Deer vulnerable to slower emergency response times. The affected areas include: East Burnt Lake, South Edgar Industrial Park, Golden West, Glendale, Normandeau, Pines, Riverside Light Industrial Park, Highland Green Estates, Highland Green, Riverside Meadows, Oriole Park, Oriole Park West, Maskepetoon, Red Deer Golf and Country Club, Fairview, and Bower Ponds. According to the 2019 municipal census, these communities have a combined population of 22,681. Critical transportation routes are also impacted, including Highway 2 Northbound between 67 Street and Highway 11A, and Highway 2 Southbound between 67 Street and 32 Street. These communities and roadways rely on timely fire and EMS service—delays put lives, homes, and businesses at greater risk.

It Fails to Meet NFPA 1710 Standards

The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 1710 standard sets the industry benchmark for safe fire department response times and staffing levels. The Dynamic Staffing Model fails to meet these critical standards, resulting in:

Slower response times, increasing the risk to residents in emergencies.
Insufficient personnel on scene, making it harder to perform rescues and control fires effectively.
Greater danger to both the public and Firefighters, as understaffed crews are forced to do more with less, increasing their risk of injury or worse.

These standards exist to save lives—ignoring them puts everyone in Red Deer at risk.

The Red Deer Firefighters Association stands firmly against the Dynamic Staffing Model because it compromises the safety of the public and the safety of Firefighters.

Why NFPA 1710 Matters for Your Safety

The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 1710 sets the industry benchmark for safe, effective fire and emergency response in career fire departments. It defines how many firefighters and resources need to arrive quickly to emergencies to save lives, protect property, and keep firefighters safe.

Recently, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, and the International Association of Fire Fighters released a joint statement recognizing NFPA 1710 as the best—and only—standard for safe, efficient, and effective firefighting in career departments.

A key part of this standard is that each fire engine and ladder/truck should be staffed with at least four firefighters. This staffing level is essential to ensure that when seconds count, firefighters can perform rescue and suppression operations safely and effectively, providing the level of protection our community expects and deserves.

Supporting NFPA 1710 is not just about numbers; it is about ensuring timely, effective, and safe emergency response for you and your family when it is needed most.

The Solutions Are Clear

We’re not just raising concerns—we’re offering solutions that will make Red Deer safer for everyone:

Full Strength at Every Fire Station
Ensure all five fire stations have the personnel needed to respond immediately to emergencies, 24/7.
Meet or Exceed NFPA 1710 Standards
Adopt and implement the industry’s gold standard for staffing and response times, ensuring best practices are in place to protect both residents and firefighters.
Invest in Sustainable, Long-Term Public Safety
Prioritize funding for front-line services, recognizing that cutting corners today leads to greater costs—and consequences—tomorrow.
Work With Firefighters, Not Against Them
Collaborate with the Red Deer Firefighters Association to develop practical, effective staffing models that reflect the real demands of emergency response in our growing city.

We’re ready to work together on real solutions. But the first step is recognizing that public and Firefighter safety must come first.

When an emergency happens, every second matters. The people of Red Deer deserve a fire service that is fully prepared—not one that is stretched dangerously thin.

Stand With Us. Speak Up for Red Deer.

If you believe that every neighborhood deserves a fully staffed fire truck and that every second counts in an emergency, we need your voice.

📞 Contact Red Deer City Council
Let them know you support fully staffing all fire stations and upholding the national safety standards our community deserves.

👉 Click here to contact your City Councillor

👉 Click here to sign a petition

📢 Spread the Word
Share this message with friends, family, and neighbours. Public awareness is power.

🤝 Support Your Firefighters
Attend community meetings, follow us on social media, and stay informed. We are stronger when we stand together.

Your voice matters. Your safety matters. Let’s protect Red Deer—together.