The City of Guelph is headed to arbitration with firefighters and EMS.

The city and Guelph Professional Firefighters Association have been trying to reach a new collective agreement since February 2015.

Since no deal has been reached they will now head to arbitration.

The legal costs for the city for arbitration for the fire department alone could hit $80,000.

GPFFA president, Colin Hunter hopes a deal can be reached that is similar to other local fire departments.

“If comparative fire departments have settled in municipalities like in Kitchener, then we are asking we be afforded a similar contract,” Hunter said.