Workplace report blames B.C. Wildfire Service again in another firefighter's death
British Columbia's Forests Ministry says it is doing everything possible to keep those who fight wildfires in the province safe, while the government workers' union wants more protections following two condemning reports into deaths of firefighters.
Two separate reports from B.C.'s workers safety agency were released this week into the deaths of firefighters Devyn Gale and Zak Muise citing safety, supervision and training concerns connected to the BC Wildfire Service, the province's wildfire suppression department.
Gale died near Revelstoke while Muise was killed near Fort St. John. They were among four firefighters who died last July in Canada. It was one of the deadliest fire seasons in recent memory.
"It's our responsibility as a province and the ministry's responsibility to ensure the wildfire firefighters have got their proper support and tools," Paul Finch, B.C. General Employees' Union president, said Thursday in an interview.
The union represents about 2,000 wildland firefighters, who Fitch said are incredibly dedicated professionals.
"They are very aware of the danger and they are conscious of that and they are consciously putting themselves in danger to protect the province."
He said the government must take further steps to improve recruitment and retention of more firefighters in a workplace where fatigue is a constant issue and turnover among young workers, especially those seeking career and leadership opportunities, is high.
The Forests Ministry said in a statement Thursday it is taking action in response to the two reports from WorkSafeBC.
"Alongside supervisors, supports have been increased for new and young workers, including more mentorship and rostering in experienced staff to support and coach new leaders," said the statement.
"As we continue to face more severe wildfire seasons due to climate change, the new wildfire training and education centre at Thompson Rivers University will help make sure the province's future wildland firefighters continue have access to the training, technology and support they need."
WorkSafeBC cited concerns about vehicle safety, supervision and training in Muise's July 28, 2023 death near Fort St. John in a vehicle rollover accident
An owner's manual outlining the required use of approved safety helmets, seatbelts and cab netting for the operation of a utility vehicle was found near the scene of the accident that resulted in Muise's death, the report said.
It said the driver and passenger in the utility vehicle, known as a UTV, were not wearing helmets, the cab netting retention system was damaged and at least one of the people was not wearing a seatbelt.
The investigation report said the wildfire service didn't adequately supervise use of the utility vehicles, lacked procedures and training about their operation and didn't ensure they were inspected for safety.
Muise, a contractor working for Big Cat Wildfire, was helping to battle the Donnie Creek blaze in northeast British Columbia, one of the largest wildfire's in provincial history.
It's the second WorkSafeBC report into the deaths of B.C. wildfire firefighters in recent days.
A report Wednesday into the death of firefighter Devyn Gale, 19, cited ineffective hazard management by the BC Wildfire Service, inadequate supervision, training and orientation of young workers, unsafe work procedures and normalization of risk.
Both reports were initially obtained by the CBC under freedom of information requests.
The report into Muise's death said he and his supervisor were riding in the UTV near Fort St. John when it was driven through a ditch to avoid an oncoming truck.
But the UTV driver, whose identity is obscured by redactions in the report, was unable to stop before driving off a steep four-metre embankment, resulting in a rollover crash that killed Muise and left the supervisor with unspecified injuries.
"As the UTV went over the steep embankment, the driver-side front tire dug into the side of the embankment, causing the UTV to shift," said the report. "This resulted in the rear of the UTV swinging around and crashing into the ground, and the UTV rolling onto the passenger side."
The report said a netting system to keep occupants inside in the event of a rollover was damaged and ineffective, something that would likely have been identified if a pre-use inspection had been carried out.
"BC (Wildfire Service) did not provide adequate supervision of the operation of UTVs and thus did not ensure the health and safety of the workers performing work at the workplace," the report said.
WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety incident investigation report cited safety regulation violations that included, allowing an operator to use a vehicle where a worker was not wearing the complete seatbelt assembly and a failure to ensure the safety of its workers.
Gale died when a burning tree fell on her northeast of Revelstoke, despite the cedar having been identified by colleagues as dangerous before the accident.
A WorkSafeBC report into that accident said "no actions were taken to eliminate or mitigate the risks" posed by the tree.
The Forests Ministry statement said the Wildfire Service has made changes to improve safety throughout their operations, including for new and young workers and making danger tree awareness training mandatory across the service.
The ministry said the BC Wildfire Service has increased permanent full-time staff by 55 per cent since 2022, with more planned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
BREAKING Conservatives to put forward non-confidence motion in Trudeau government 'at earliest possible opportunity'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party will put forward a non-confidence motion when Parliament resumes 'at the earliest possible opportunity' with the aim of triggering an early federal election.
Mother of suspected Apalachee High School shooter apologizes to victims' families in open letter
The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during last week’s shooting at a Georgia high school has apologized to the victims' families in an open letter while insisting her son 'is not a monster.'
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
Israeli airstrikes hit UN school and homes in Gaza, killing at least 34 people, hospitals say
Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight and Wednesday hit a UN school sheltering displaced Palestinian families as well as two homes, killing at least 34 people, including 19 women and children, hospital officials said.
Singh to talk policy priorities at second day of NDP caucus retreat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is expected to have more to share today about the progressive policies his team intends to prioritize, and his red lines, when Parliament resumes next week.
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage for the first — and possibly the last — time.
WATCH LIVE Liberals put up united front after fractious summer at Nanaimo retreat
Liberal MPs will have one last chance to tell their leader how they think their party can improve their political prospects before they return to Ottawa to face off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the House of Commons.