The 20 or so firefighters on the Saint-Polycarpe fire brigade have been given a $50 gift card so that they can each purchase an electric razor to ensure they always have a shaven face. 

A source well aware of the situation informed Néomédia on Wednesday. This same source confirmed that, during an emergency call last Monday, an officer had refused to allow a firefighter to go to the scene because of his beard. 

"By law, firefighters must be clean-shaven - it's a safety issue. Unfortunately, some firefighters still don't understand," Fire Department Director Michel Bélanger tells Néomédia.

In fact, since 2016, the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail and the Norme relative au programme de santé et de sécurité du travail dans les services incendie has required firefighters to shave their faces completely to ensure the tightness of the negative pressure respirator; a device worn during interventions.

Wearing this type of respirator requires a complete seal with the wearer's skin, to prevent inhalation of external toxic gases and release of oxygen.

Shaving is also a requirement for the practical examination for professional qualification at the École nationale des pompiers du Québec. Future firefighters may be refused access to the exam if they fail to comply with these regulations.

"Even today, some firefighters don't believe in this rule," says Michel Bélanger.

A proposal from the main interested parties

According to Mr. Bélanger, the City made the decision to give gift cards to firefighters after they made the proposal. 

"The City was looking for a solution to get the message out and it was at a meeting that some firefighters suggested that the City provide them with the razors. Some of them explained that, since they're part-time, they can be called out at any time and therefore can't know in advance. They're not always ready and don't have time to go home to shave. To buy peace and ensure that firefighters are safe, the city has opted to donate gift cards. I have to admit, it's pretty special," continues Mr. Bélanger. "Yet we were already providing disposable razors and shaving foam. I guess that wasn't enough for some people," he adds.

A working tool?

For his part, Éric Lachapelle, General Manager of the Municipality of Saint-Polycarpe, sees the razor as a work tool. "Since shaving is mandatory, I think it's only fair that the municipality provide its firefighters with the necessary tools," he told Néomédia in a telephone interview.

Finally, considering that three municipal councillors - Laurent Barsalou, Jean-Pierre Ménard and Maxime Gamelin - are also firefighters, Éric Lachapelle assures us that no conflict of interest has been identified in the matter.

"In fact, it's a purely administrative decision. We have a $5,000 budget for expenses that don't have to be approved by the council. These are the funds that were used. City Council had nothing to do with the decision. So there's no conflict of interest," concludes the General Manager.