A lawsuit has been filed by ex-Stavely fire chief and assistant chief who claim they were fired without cause.

“I was looking to do something for the community and with my spare time. So, I thought I would give it a try, and that’s where we ended up,” Ben Blakeley told ctvnews.

In 2024, six years after he joined the Canadian department, he was appointed chief. At the time, he also was working to clear his name against false allegations of prostitution.

Through it all, he was working to address safety concerns including long shifts, budgets and the lack of certain equipment such as AEDs.

Blakeley said not long after raising the issues, he and Deputy Chief Greg Olsen were fired.

“It was frustrating for both the fire chief and I, seeing these concerns and then being met with no action or corrective action,” Olsen told a reporter.

Both claim their firings in April were unfair and improper.

The suit names the town of Stavely, its CAO Dacia Sundquist, the MD of Willow Creek and its director of emergency services at the time, Kelly Starling.

“I want the changes made. I want the public to be aware of what’s going on. Again, we’re a small volunteer hall. So, to lose two leadership positions, that is a huge void to fill,” Olsen said.

The two said it's not about the money. It's about safety.

Blakeley is seeking at least $250,000 while Olsen is asking for $130,000 in lost income and reputational damage.