N.B. firefighters threaten mass resignation over dispute with municipality

Firefighters in the community of Rexton, N.B., are threatening to resign and not answer calls unless a conflict with municipal leaders is resolved by 7 p.m. Thursday.

Firefighters in the community of Rexton, N.B., are threatening to resign and not answer calls unless a conflict with municipal leaders is resolved by 7 p.m. Thursday.

In an email to CTV News, Cpt. Sean Sullivan of the Rexton Fire Department said the dispute is with the mayor, CAO and council members of Five Rivers.

Sullivan said firefighters have given notice to officials that if things are not resolved all members will be "resigning" and "no longer answering calls."

The exact nature of the dispute was not mentioned.

"We receive more than 100 calls a year for fires, accidents, water and ice rescue along with many other calls for assistance," said Sullivan in an email. "This will obviously be a major issue for the village."

The fire department posted more details on its Facebook page after an emergency meeting was held Tuesday night.

"We have come to the hardest and unfortunate decision to cease our firefighter duties as of this Thursday March 21, 2024 at 7 p.m., unless Mayor and Council cease their disrespect towards us and let us be the fire department and firefighters we signed up for, the ball is in their court," stated the post.