Does Alberta have a wildland firefighter ‘retention problem?’

The wildland firefighters' union says Alberta has a retention problem. A firefighter points to 'absurdly short contract lengths,' having to reapply each year and inexperience.

The wildland firefighters’ union says Alberta has an under-staffed and under-trained wildfire force due to a recruitment and retention problem.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says high turnover means wildland firefighters are leaving Alberta for similar jobs in B.C. or with Parks Canada, where they can make more money, and have more benefits and stability.

“The exodus has been pretty strong from Alberta to B.C. recently, as well as to Parks Canada,” said firefighter Charlie.

Charlie has been a wildland firefighter for nearly 10 years, the majority of which he worked for Alberta Wildfire. He recently moved to a different province. Global News has agreed not to identify him because he’s concerned about possible job repercussions. Charlie is a pseudonym.

“Alberta is described by many in the program as kind of a sinking ship… The shortfall of Alberta nowadays I would say it’s primarily… retention.”

It’s not a new issue, he added.

“They like to toot their horn at the start of this season…about how they’re hiring 100 new firefighters or whatever the number is, but that’s irrelevant. Two guys with a ton of experience are far more useful than 20 guys with zero experience,” Charlie said.

The AUPE says half of seasonal Alberta workers don’t return the next year. And that’s happening year after year, said one of the union’s regional vice presidents.