The Montreal Fire Department (SIM) suffered a significant loss of equipment valued at nearly $150,000 due to a burglary that took place while an employee attended a hockey game. This incident, which occurred on February 20, has led to internal turmoil and prompted ongoing investigations.
Details of the Incident
The SIM was called to assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) during a drug lab raid on the South Shore of Montreal. After completing the operation, a lieutenant firefighter sought permission from his supervisor to attend his son’s hockey game at the Sainte-Julie arena. Approval was granted, despite the fact that he was using a departmental vehicle.
During the game, thieves managed to gain access to the vehicle by dismantling the door handles. Subsequently, they stole various firefighting equipment.
Valuable Equipment Stolen
- A high-tech gas detector valued at approximately $100,000.
- Additional equipment totaling around $130,000, although some reports estimate the total value could be as high as $200,000.
There are suspicions that the employee may have been followed from the police operation site. The employee specializes in hazardous materials and was driving a truck used by the urban rescue unit, also known as “Task Force 6,” which is typically deployed during major emergencies.
Ongoing Investigations
Two separate investigations are currently underway. The SIM is conducting an internal administrative inquiry, although no further information has been released by communications division chief Guy Lapointe. Additionally, the Intermunicipal Police Board of Richelieu–Saint-Laurent (RIPRSL), which oversees 17 municipalities, including Sainte-Julie, has initiated a criminal investigation.
RIPRSL community officer Éric Boulianne noted that they are reviewing surveillance footage from the arena and adjacent parking to aid their investigation, but no arrests have been made as of yet.
Concerns Over Accountability
The incident has drawn criticism from Chris Ross, president of the Montreal Firefighters Association (APM), which represents approximately 2,400 members. He expressed concerns regarding the lack of control and accountability within the SIM, stating, “This reflects a serious deficiency in management.”
Ross raised questions about the operational readiness of “Task Force 6,” highlighting discrepancies between the funding received and its functionality. He remarked on the impressive equipment available but noted the inadequacy in its deployment and use.
Implications for Future Operations
This situation unfolds amid ongoing negotiations for a new collective agreement for firefighters with the city, which expired at the end of 2024. Equipment shortages have been a sticking point in discussions.
The Martinez Ferrada administration is planning to invest approximately $67.3 million to replace firefighting equipment over the next decade, by 2035. A recent report indicated that Montreal spent nearly $19 million on overtime last year to compensate for inadequate laundry services for firefighters’ gear, following new contamination standards imposed by the CNESST.
Currently, the SIM has only one decontamination site for firefighters’ gear, located at their training center on Notre-Dame East in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.
