Martin

Career firefighter | hockey dad | hockey coach | former pro hockey player | @DalTigers & @dalkinesiology alumni. Tweets and views are my own.

[Martin @lappy55]

This should become a weekly, if not daily reminder for people around #Halifax! Following someone for 10+ km is not normal.

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

100 Years of IAFF Local 268

Today marks 100 years since Halifax fire fighters were officially chartered as IAFF Local 268 on May 12, 1926.

For a century, generations of professional fire fighters have served our communities, protected one another, and worked to advance the fire service in Halifax.

This centennial is an opportunity to recognize the members who came before us, the history that shaped our Local, and the proud tradition that continues today.

Throughout the year, we’ll be celebrating this milestone with special events, historical features, and projects recognizing 100 years of Halifax Professional Fire Fighters.

Here’s to the next 100 years.

#hfxfirefighters #100YearsOf268

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

Thank you to those involved in the fight to keep our Nova Scotia Firefighters safe. We applaud the department of labour and continue to work with our partners @appffa @TruroProFF @IAFFLocal2094 @IAFF2779 @IAFFCanada fighting for a safe, professional training facility in NS. Clearly the “new” leadership at the NS Fire School hasn’t translated into a change of culture or action regarding safety.

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

🔥 Want to become a Halifax Professional Fire Fighter?

Applications for full-time career Fire Fighters are open now and being accepted until January 20.

If this is a career you’ve been considering — now’s the time to take a closer look.

For details and application information, visit https://t.co/j8rYxd2U8W and search “Firefighter Recruitment.”

#HPFFAlwaysOnDuty

[FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX]

Relive the moment George Springer put the @BlueJays on the cusp of the AL Pennant!

[Martin @lappy55]

@hfxfirefighters Great job 👏

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

🔥 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

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

Today, #hfxfirefighters join fire fighters and communities across North America in remembering September 11, 2001.

We honour the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including 343 FDNY fire fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @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

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

Summer heat is here. A parked car can become deadly in minutes—even on days that don’t feel “that hot.”

👶🐶 Whether it’s a child or a pet, never leave them alone in a vehicle.
At just 23.9°C outside, the inside of a car can soar past 37°C.

#LookBeforeYouLock #HotCarSafety #hfxfirefighters

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

What do these fires have in common? Vertical fire spread — and a reminder that every second counts.

In recent weeks, #hfxfirefighters have responded to several structure fires where flames quickly climbed the exterior of buildings, reaching upper floors or the roofline in minutes. A quick response from professional fire fighters made the difference between contained damage and potential disaster.

The fire on Cutter Drive in Bedford saw a faster-than-usual response due to crews already being active in the area. On Cornerstone Terrace in Lower Sackville, and on Falcourt Run in Upper Tantallon, timely responses helped prevent fire from fully engulfing the structures.

Development in the area around Larry Uteck — what we often call the “City of Larry Uteck” — has exploded. While a new headquarters campus and fire station are underway in West Bedford, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters remain concerned that its location on Science Park Drive won’t meaningfully improve response times for first-arriving units in much of that growing community. Adding more resources to strengthen the effective firefighting force is a step in the right direction — but it’s not a complete solution.

Fires move fast. To protect lives and property, fire fighters and fire stations must keep pace with how — and where — our city grows.

As more residential buildings go up, we also need to ensure fire codes continue to prioritize safe construction — including multiple means of egress.

(Photos from recent fires in Bedford, Sackville, and Upper Tantallon showing how rapidly fire can spread.)

[Martin @lappy55]

@HfxMda Sounds like an April fools joke to me! 🤔

[Martin @lappy55]

Hey 👋 @FedExCanada you’re no better than @UPS. I spent extra money to have a delivery before 5pm yesterday. You have 0 updates and when I call customer service, you don’t even know where the package is. You then tell me you’ll get back to me and you don’t. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Truly pathetic.

[Martin @lappy55]

@Eags37 The offensive side what people see and with social media, all the kids want to be “creative” with the puck and there might not be enough teaching done for the game away from the puck.

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

#hfxfirefighters responded to a 3rd alarm fire on Agricola St. in #Halifax overnight, requiring a significant deployment of resources.
Read our full statement below ⬇️

[Martin @lappy55]

@BlainPotvin_THW Very sorry for your loss Blain.

[Martin @lappy55]

😢💔

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

We are saddened to learn that three children lost their lives in the Lower Sackville fire. Our thoughts remain with the family, friends, and community, as well as our members who responded during this tragedy.

Read our updated statement below.

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

🚒 Earlier today in Cooks Brook, #hfxfirefighters swiftly brought a fire under control, preventing it from spreading through the entire structure. Lives and property were protected thanks to their quick actions.

The first-due truck came from Station 38, now staffed 24/7/365—a critical safety net for the Musquodoboit Valley.

This shows why response times matter and why having fire fighters in fire stations, with a crew of 4 ready to respond, saves lives and property.

#PublicSafety

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

🚨 Snowstorm tonight, #Halifax! Heavy snow is about to start. A few quick tips from your @hfxfirefighters:

🚒 Clear hydrants near your home.
⚡ Charge devices in case of power outages.
🏠 Stay indoors and avoid driving unless it’s an emergency.

We’re ready—stay safe! ❄️ #HPFFAlwaysOnDuty #hfxfirefighters

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

#Halifax, you did it! Thanks to your generosity, we’ve collected an incredible pile of toys and over $60,000 for families through @parkerstreethfx.

Thank you to everyone who donated and assisted over the last 2 days.

#hfxfirefighters #HFXGivesBack

[Halifax Professional Fire Fighters @hfxfirefighters]

Slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and traffic incidents. It’s not just the law — it’s about protecting lives. Help keep #hfxfirefighters safe while we work on the road. We have families waiting for us, too. #SlowDownMoveOver #IAFF