Victoria Fire Fighters Make History with Candidate Endorsement Campaign
September 12, 2026
News Source: by Kori Sidaway September 10, 2026, Chek News
For the first time in its 168-year history, Victoria Fire Fighters IAFF Local 730 union is entering the political arena — and it signals a new chapter for the local on how they engage with the communities they serve.
Local 730 announced this week that it will be highlighting six key priorities and endorsing municipal candidates who commit to supporting them. Local 730 President Josh Montgomery announced the campaign on September 11, saying the decision was driven by issues the association believes are critical to public safety, fire fighter safety, and the local's ability to serve a rapidly growing and changing Victoria.
"For the first time in our history, the Victoria Fire Fighters Association is entering the political arena as a third-party advertising sponsor," said Montgomery. "Our members have identified six critical issues that affect public safety, fire fighter safety, and our ability to do our jobs to the fullest extent."
Funded from their own pockets, Local 730 will run a third-party advertising campaign and endorse candidates for Victoria City Council ahead of the October 17, 2026 local government election. Candidates will be given the opportunity to publicly sign a pledge committing to support the following six priorities:
New buildings must include multiple sets of stairs — ensuring fire fighters can safely access and evacuate multi-storey structures during emergencies.
Additional resources for high-rise firefighting — equipping crews with the tools and staffing required to respond effectively to incidents in Victoria's growing vertical built environment.
Traffic and city design must consider emergency vehicle size and response time — ensuring that urban planning decisions do not compromise the ability of fire fighters to reach the scene quickly and safely.
Prioritize safety for first responders — embedding fire fighter safety considerations into municipal policy, bylaws, and development approvals.
More proactive mental health support — recognizing the cumulative toll of the job and ensuring that fire fighters have access to the resources they need before a crisis occurs.
Increased resources to better protect the Inner Harbour and Vic West — addressing the unique risks posed by these areas and ensuring adequate coverage for all Victoria residents.
BCPFFA President Todd Schierling offered strong support for Local 730's decision:
"When city councils make decisions about staffing levels, building codes, and emergency response infrastructure, fire fighters have both the expertise and the obligation to make their voices heard. Local 730 is showing exactly the kind of leadership we encourage across all our affiliates — knowing their community, identifying the issues that matter, and holding elected officials accountable. We congratulate Brother Montgomery and the membership of Local 730 on this historic step."
The BCPFFA's Political Action Policy affirms that locals are best positioned to determine how and when to engage at the municipal level, and that the Association strongly encourages affiliates to lobby all politicians on issues of priority for fire fighters and their community. A safer community for residents is a safer workplace for our members.
This kind of local-level political engagement reflects a broader shift in how fire fighters across BC are showing up for the communities they protect. The BCPFFA congratulates Local 730 on this milestone and looks forward to seeing fire fighter priorities reflected in Victoria's next council.
Political expression and collective advocacy are protected under Section 2(b) (Freedom of Expression) and Section 2(d) (Freedom of Association) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Courts have repeatedly confirmed that unions have a constitutional right to engage in political speech, endorse candidates, and advocate for issues.
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The BC Professional Fire Fighters' Association represents approximately 5,000 career fire fighters, dispatchers, and support members across 56 IAFF locals in British Columbia and the Yukon.
Authorized by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association under LECFA,
info@bcpffa.org, www.bcpffa.org