Low pay and danger are pushing away fire rangers from coast to coast
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared on The Trillium, a new Village Media website devoted exclusively to covering provincial politics at Queen’s Park
Governments across the country are struggling to attract fire rangers. The danger, isolation and low pay deter many. Ontario has been aware of the problem for years.“They will work in fire and smoke up to 16 hours a day and are constantly exposed to carcinogens in the air they breathe and the clothing that they wear,” Belanger said.
Fire rangers currently make between $22.89–$29.26 per hour, Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith's office said. “I’ve personally provided more than 20 references to individuals who have gone on to better job opportunities that allow them to support their families,” he said. “Even entry-level positions with other ministries that have similar deliverables pay between $12–$16,000 a year more.”
But they can only be used in “very specific, low-risk assignments” since they’re less familiar with the province’s unique biosphere, Belanger said.
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