Improved benefits for auxiliary wildfire fighters

Changes are being made to make it easier for those who fight wildfires to access benefits.

Stephanie Smith with the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) says many wildfire fighters are auxiliaries, which limits how they access benefits. She notes it shortens the amount of time in which auxiliaries need to work in order to access benefits.

The change was announced in the Premier’s keynote address at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria last week. Smith says the change will help around 200 firefighters this year and even more next year.