Halifax Professional Fire Fighters

Congratulations to three of our own, Captains Joe Barbati and Joe Fulton, and Fire Fighter Mohammed Al-Shaghay (not pictured), on their induction into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame as members of the legendary 2001 Saint Mary’s Huskies football team! The 2001 Huskies completed a perfect 11-0 season, capturing the Vanier Cup and bringing a national championship home to Halifax. Their season remains one of the most dominant performances in Canadian university football history. Twenty-five years later, their historic achievement has earned them a place among Nova Scotia’s sporting greats. We’re proud to see three #hfxfirefighters receive this well-deserved honour. Congratulations to Joe, Joe and Mohammed, and the entire 2001 Huskies team! #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

THREE SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS. JUST 40 MINUTES. Halloween night was a busy one for #hfxfirefighters, with crews dispatched to three significant emergencies across HRM in just 40 minutes. 🚒 9:59 PM | Lakecrest Drive, Dartmouth Our members from Station 14, located just 650 metres away, arrived within minutes to find several vehicles on fire, with flames extending into an adjacent commercial building. Crews quickly stretched a hose line, knocked down the fire and saved the structure from significant damage. 🚒 10:21 PM | Sylvia Avenue, Spryfield Our members from Station 6 arrived to a working fire in a basement apartment of a three-storey residential building. Crews immediately stretched a hose line, made entry and initiated an aggressive interior fire attack, containing the fire to a single room. ⚠️ 10:39 PM | Spring Garden Road, Halifax Crews responded to reports of a strong chemical odour throughout a high-rise residential building, reaching as high as the 18th floor. With two of our three HazMat teams already committed to the earlier fires, our specialized team from Station 45 (Fall River) responded. A HazMat support unit was subsequently released from Lakecrest Drive to assist. The source was traced to work underway in an attached parkade. Conditions were assessed and determined to be safe, with recommendations made to improve ventilation. Three emergencies. Multiple communities. Resources stretched across the municipality. Emergencies don’t happen in isolation. Having adequately staffed fire stations and properly resourced apparatus across HRM ensures our members can respond when seconds matter. A big thank you to our members who continue to show up every day, including Halloween and every other holiday, protecting lives and property across HRM. Always on duty. 24/7/365. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty 📸: Lakecrest Drive incident

At 10:52 PM last night, #hfxfirefighters responded to reports of a structure fire on Oxford Street in Halifax, with an individual reportedly trapped inside. Our members from Station 2 (South End) quickly arrived to find a two-storey multi-residential building with fire coming from the second floor. The individual who had been reported trapped had jumped from a second-floor window prior to our members’ arrival. Crews immediately began stretching a hose line to the affected unit, while other fire fighters assisted the individual before transferring care to EHS paramedics. The fire was brought under control within minutes and contained to the unit of origin. Every second matters. Response times matter. Fire fighters in fire stations, on fire trucks matter. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

At 4:23 p.m., #hfxfirefighters responded to a fire alarm at a multi-storey building on Bedford Highway in Bedford. Our members from Station 8 (Bedford) arrived to reports of a fire involving electrical equipment and heavy smoke conditions on the fifth floor. The call was upgraded to a structure fire, bringing additional resources to the scene. Today, Aerial 9 (Sackville) responded with a full crew of four fire fighters. That staffing allowed our members to immediately carry out critical fireground operations, including rooftop access, ventilation, and assisting with clearing the building, without pulling fire fighters away from other essential tasks. As Aerial 9 cleared the incident, they were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision, continuing to provide emergency response with the staffing needed to operate safely and effectively. Aerial 9 happened to have four fire fighters today. That meant critical tasks could happen simultaneously, without compromising other operations or redistributing already limited resources. This incident demonstrated what properly staffed aerial apparatus can accomplish. But having four fire fighters on these trucks shouldn’t come down to luck. Halifax needs to stop relying on luck and start ensuring our fire trucks have the fire fighters our communities deserve. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

Halloween is almost here! 🎃👻 Whether you’re heading out trick-or-treating or welcoming little ghosts and goblins to your door, let’s make it a fun and safe night for everyone! A few simple precautions can make all the difference. Stay safe, Halifax! #hfxfirefighters #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

STRONGER STAFFING. SAFER COMMUNITIES. Today, Halifax Regional Council will consider a request from Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi for 20 additional career fire fighters as part of the 2027/28 budget process. Last night, #hfxfirefighters battled a major industrial fire at the grain elevators in Halifax. As the incident escalated, additional crews were called in from fire stations across the municipality, committing significant resources to a single emergency for an extended period. The proposal would strengthen overall staffing levels and increase the planned daily staffing on three dedicated aerial apparatus in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Sackville from two fire fighters to three. Currently, these apparatus operate with just two fire fighters, despite manufacturer guidance recommending a minimum of three, with four being the internationally recognized standard. Halifax Professional Fire Fighters have advocated for increased aerial staffing for years. We strongly support Chief Rizzi’s request and recognize this as an important step toward improving emergency response capabilities across our municipality. Last night’s fire was another reminder of the scale and complexity of emergencies our members respond to. While crews work to protect lives and property at one major incident, our communities continue to rely on fire fighters being available to respond to the next emergency. Response times matter. Fire fighters in fire stations on fire trucks matter. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

FINAL INCIDENT UPDATE | MARGINAL ROAD Fire control has now been declared at the Halifax Grain Elevator on Marginal Road following a significant and challenging industrial fire this evening. Throughout the night, #hfxfirefighters worked in difficult conditions to contain the fire, located high above ground within the facility’s dust management system. The complex nature of the facility required a coordinated response involving multiple crews, specialized equipment, and aerial operations. While the fire is now under control, our members will remain on scene conducting further operations to ensure the incident is safely brought to a conclusion. Thank you to everyone for their patience while emergency crews worked in the area. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty Photos: Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency

INCIDENT UPDATE # 1 | MARGINAL ROAD The fire at the grain elevators on Marginal Road has now escalated to a full third alarm. Multiple crews of #hfxfirefighters are actively working inside the structure to contain the fire. Please continue to avoid the area and allow our members the space they need to operate safely. We will provide further updates as information becomes available. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

ACTIVE INCIDENT | HALIFAX WATERFRONT #hfxfirefighters are currently on scene of a structure fire involving the grain silos on Marginal Road in Halifax. The response has been escalated to nearly a third alarm, with additional crews and apparatus responding to the scene. Please avoid the area and allow emergency crews the space they need to operate safely. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

INCIDENT UPDATE | HORSESHOE LAKE DRIVE #hfxfirefighters remain on scene at a hazardous materials incident on Horseshoe Lake Drive near Susie Lake Crescent, in the Bayer’s Lake Business Park. A chemical reaction occurred at a commercial facility early this morning. The incident remains contained to the area of origin, with no reported injuries. Our specialized Hazardous Materials Technicians are working to safely manage the situation. These incidents can be complex, requiring careful planning, ongoing monitoring, and specialized equipment to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Our members are expected to remain on scene for an extended period. Please continue to avoid the area while emergency operations are underway. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

⚠️ ACTIVE HAZMAT INCIDENT – BEECHVILLE #hfxfirefighters are currently on scene of a hazardous materials incident at a commercial facility on Horseshoe Lake Drive in Beechville. Our members from the Hazardous Materials Team are on scene to mitigate the situation. Please avoid the area and allow emergency crews room to work. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

This week, #hfxfirefighters on our Technical Rescue teams took part in specialized rope rescue refresher training, led by instructors from @ecrs.ltd. The training covered updated NFPA standards for technical rescue, along with hands-on scenarios focused on the latest rescue techniques and best practices. Rope rescue is just one of the many specialized disciplines our members train for. From high-angle rescues to other complex emergencies, ongoing training ensures our members are prepared to respond safely and effectively when called upon. Next week, our Technical Rescue teams will shift their focus to confined space rescue refresher training, another critical skill our members maintain to be ready for whatever the next call brings. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

100 YEARS OF LOCAL 268 | RECOGNITION DINNER Tomorrow evening, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters will gather for our annual Recognition Dinner, marking a special occasion as we celebrate 100 years of IAFF Local 268. The evening brings together generations of our members to recognize those who have recently retired, celebrate long-service milestones, and acknowledge the contributions of individuals who have made a lasting impact on our union. The evening will also include the presentation of two of our union’s highest honours: the Sam London Award, recognizing exceptional bravery, and the Paul Dober Award, recognizing outstanding union leadership and dedication. For a century, generations of professional fire fighters have helped shape our union and the fire service we know today. Tomorrow, we celebrate that history, recognize those who have contributed to it, and look ahead to the next 100 years. #hfxfirefighters

🍁Thanksgiving weekend is almost here 🦃 Planning to deep-fry your turkey this weekend? A few simple precautions can make the difference between a great meal and a dangerous fire. Always use your fryer outdoors, well away from buildings and anything combustible. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed and dry, use the proper amount of oil, and keep a Class B fire extinguisher nearby. From all of us at #hfxfirefighters, we wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend! 🍂 #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

It’s Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s theme focuses on something our members have seen firsthand — the growing fire risk from lithium-ion batteries in our homes. From phones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools, lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. When damaged, improperly used or charged incorrectly, they can create a serious fire hazard. A few simple steps can help reduce the risk: 🔌 Use the charger designed for your device. 🔋 Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface — never on a bed or couch. ⚠️ Stop using batteries that are damaged, swollen, unusually hot or giving off an unusual smell. 🔌 Unplug devices once they’re fully charged. 🏠 Give larger batteries, including e-bike and e-scooter batteries, plenty of space while charging. This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to check how batteries are being charged around your home. #hfxfirefighters #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

Halifax Professional Fire Fighters stood alongside unions and workers from across our region today in opposition to proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code contained in Bill C-39. The proposed changes would give the federal government new powers to intervene in labour disputes and end certain legal strikes or lockouts. As professional fire fighters, our members do not have the right to strike. But we understand the importance of strong collective bargaining and stand with workers whose right to strike may be their last option to hold an employer accountable and achieve a fair agreement. The right to strike is a fundamental part of meaningful collective bargaining in Canada. We were proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with workers from across the labour movement today in defence of that right. When workers stand together, our collective voice is stronger.

After 29 years of dedicated service, #hfxfirefighters Darren Casey is retiring. Originally hired by HRM in 1997, Darren’s working his last shift today out of the Fire Prevention Division. Thank you for your service, and best wishes for a long and healthy retirement! 🎉🚒

At 9:00 AM this morning, #hfxfirefighters responded to reports of black smoke coming from Casino Nova Scotia and adjacent parkade on Upper Water Street. Our members from Station 3 (West Street) arrived to a large amount of black smoke coming from the structure and upgraded the call to a second alarm, bringing additional crews and resources to the scene. Thankfully, our members were able to quickly determine the source of the smoke was a malfunctioning generator. The situation was brought under control. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty 🎥: Kelly Brown

Last night at approximately 8:23 PM, #hfxfirefighters responded to Claudia Crescent in Middle Sackville after reports of a strong chemical odour coming from the sewer system and inside several homes. Our members, including our specially trained Hazardous Materials Technicians, worked through the night as part of a prolonged response to identify the hazard, monitor conditions and help keep residents in the affected area safe. Approximately 70 households were impacted, with some residents evacuating their homes while the incident was investigated. The source was eventually isolated to a catch basin and identified as a petroleum-based substance. We’re glad the situation was resolved safely and residents were able to return home. Our members are on duty and ready to respond, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty