A new collective agreement has been ratified between the City of Lethbridge and its firefighters' union. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge firefighters ratify ‘innovative’ collective agreement

Dec 3, 2025 | 8:55 AM

The City of Lethbridge and its firefighters’ union have reached a new deal.

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Union Local #237 says 99 per cent of voting members approved the agreement on Nov. 27, 2025, which retroactively covers the period of 2021-2025.

Their last collective agreement expired in 2020.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen commended both bargaining groups for the immense amount of work and innovation that was brought to the table.

“This is an important agreement because it creates a strong, sustainable future for the people and the systems that support critical emergency services to our community,” says Hyggen. “I want to thank our staff for their patience through this process and for their ongoing dedication to public service.”

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The deal will see Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) implement a new operating model.

By introducing an EMS operational division, the City says LFES will be able to maintain its integrated fire and EMS service, but also allow staff to remain in the EMS division if they want.

Currently, employees joining LFES are trained as both paramedics and firefighters, but spend several years working in EMS before expanding to firefighting.

The new system will have recruits enter the system as dedicated EMS employees, with training support to advance to firefighting, closer to when they will start actively working in fire suppression.

This arrangement is believed to be more efficient for LFES and more flexible for recruits.

LFES Chief Greg Adair called it an “industry-leading” approach.

“It is significant for our department because it creates a long-term strategy to map out a sustainable way forward,” Adair explains. “It will help with recruitment, retention and financial viability while still supporting our integrated approach – a system we know provides an extremely high level of service [for] our community.”

The collective agreement also settles wage increases to the end of 2025. Members will see a total increase of 16.25 per cent over five years:

• 2021 – 2.75 per cent
• 2022 – 3.25 per cent
• 2023 – 3.00 per cent
• 2024 – 3.75 per cent
• 2025 – 3.50 per cent

The City of Lethbridge employs 253 IAFF members, who fill roles in integrated paramedic/firefighting, fire prevention and dispatch.