Ottawa - In a letter made public today, the Public Service Alliance of Canada calls on the Federal Transport Minister to block a bid by the Edmonton International Airport to reduce its minimum firefighting crew size from seven as specified in Civil Aviation Regulations to three.

"Reducing the number of firefighters at Edmonton International or at any other airport is a breach of federal regulations. It is a reckless move that shows contempt for the flying public and airport employees," says John Gordon, PSAC National Vice-President.

Gordon adds that moves to cut firefighters at this or any other time is a recipe for disaster. Earlier this week the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its annual report noting a serious increase in "unnecessary risks" of collision at airports across Canada as planes take-off or land

The current regulations on firefighter staffing at Canadian airports were put in place to meet the recommendations of a major study published in 1990. According to then Transport Minister Doug Lewis, the policy changes were put in place to "ensure that airport operations across the country are as safe as possible".

The Edmonton Airport Authority also intends to remove primary responsibility for emergency medical assistance and for structural fires including hangers and the terminal building from the firefighters. In the letter, the PSAC points out that these responsibilities will fall to the Leduc County Volunteer Fire Department with an average response time of over twenty minutes.

"Minister Collenette is responsible for ensuring that Canada's airports operate safely and comply with federal regulations. If left unchecked, the proposed reduction would cause an immediate danger to the health and safety of the public," says Gordon.

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For more information contact:

Lois Ross, Coordinator of Communications, PSAC - (613) 560-4280

45-280700