Winnipeg firefighters, paramedics off the job for 17,600 hours over 10 months due to psychological injuries [Video]

Psychological injuries forced paramedics and firefighters in Winnipeg off their jobs for thousands of hours last year, straining already understaffed essential services.

And the fallout is also leading to burnout in on-the-job members, their respective unions and a Canadian expert say. 

Data from the City of Winnipeg shows 189 claims from Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) members were processed by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) for psychological injuries at the workplace between January and October 2024. 

Out of the total claims, 41 resulted in 17,626 hours of leave granted to firefighters and paramedics who were off the job due to injuries to their mental health — the highest number recorded since 2019. 

Firefighters were off the job for 2,896 hours, while paramedics tallied 14,730 hours in psychological claims. 

Ryan Woiden, president of MGEU Local 191 — the union representing Winnipeg paramedics — said that number amounts to more …