Last year’s expedited closure of three volunteer fire stations in Greater Sudbury did not result in the exodus of members which some critics of the decision were concerned would happen.
Since last year’s closure of the Copper Cliff, Val Caron and the Falconbridge volunteer stations, two members resigned and 18 shifted to other stations.
- In Copper Cliff, all seven members shifted over to the Waters station
- In Val Caron, nine members went to Val Therese, one went to Hanmer and one resigned
- In Falconbridge, one member went to Garson and one resigned
“I really feel like it’s a true testament to your leadership that we’ve been able to retain them,” Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbée told Deputy Chief Nathan Melin during Tuesday’s city council meeting, at which she also commended firefighters “for not giving up and for actually stepping up to stick with us through these changes.”
Last year’s decision to close the three fire stations came as something of a surprise.
Although all three stations were slated to close as part of a broader $164.6.-million emergency services revitalization plan, it wasn’t anticipated to take place until newly amalgamated stations were built or modernized.
The expedited closures were proposed in a business case for 2025 budget deliberations late last year, and city council members voted in favour of the idea.
In conversation with Sudbury.com following Tuesday’s meeting, Melin credited the high retention rate to the character of recruits.
“They want to serve their community, they want to do a good job, they’re committed to it,” he said. “It’s their dedication that drives them to continue in the fire service.”
Across the volunteer service, there were 16 resignations last year, which brings the latest total estimated slate of volunteer firefighters in Greater Sudbury down to 201.
Meanwhile, this year’s recruitment efforts saw 229 volunteer firefighter applications submitted.
As with every year’s batch of newcomers, they tend to drop off every step of the way, beginning with 115 applicants disqualified right off the bat for not residing in a volunteer district.
There were 80 people who proceeded to physical testing, of whom 77 met requirements. Of them, 45 ended up being invited to participate in the interview stage.
Coming out of interviews, Melin said letters of employment will be offered to 34 people.
Drawing from their experience from past years, Melin said approximately 75 per cent of those who are offered employment typically end up following through with training. Given that this year saw jobs offered to 34 people, approximately 25 are anticipated to end up joining the ranks of qualified City of Greater Sudbury volunteer firefighters by the time training caps off, which is a net gain against the 16-member drop from last year.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services has also continued working toward mandatory certification for all career and volunteer firefighters by the province’s deadline of July 1, 2026.
Of the current complement of volunteer firefighters, a report by Melin and fellow Deputy Chief Jesse Oshell cites 26 members as currently having no path toward certification by this deadline.
- Three volunteer members said they’re resigning as of July 1, 2026.
- Six registered to attend certification training but did not attend or dropped out.
- 10 have not registered to attend any of the National Fire Protection Association certification training sessions.
- Seven are on approved leaves of absences and are unable to attend and complete training.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services’ annual recruitment period is March 1 to April 15, with more information on job requirements available by clicking here.
The current breakdown of volunteer members is 33 in Waters, 13 in Lively, 13 in Whitefish, 13 in Azilda, 22 in Chelmsford, seven in Dowling, five in Levack, 21 in Val Therese, 15 in Hanmer, 13 in Capreol, 17 in Garson, 11 in Skead, nine in Consiton and nine in Wahnapitae.
The number of candidates who reached the interview stage this year included six in Azilda, five in Capreol, four in Chelmsford, three in Consiton, three in Dowling, four in Garson, one in Hammer, three in Levack, 11 in Lively, three in Val Therese, one in Wahnapitae and one in Whitefish.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.