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RDEK firefighter recruitment drive kicks off
A region-wide firefighter recruitment drive has kicked off in the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
“Our fire departments play a pivotal role in our rural communities,” explained Elk Valley & South Country Fire Chief Dave Boreen. “To keep these departments running and able to answer the call, we need to have a dedicated core of firefighters and are looking to bolster our numbers in every department.”
The RDEK has fire departments in Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko, Hosmer, Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Edgewater and Panorama Mountain Resort, and the goal of the campaign is to recruit 10 new members to each department other than Panorama, which has a full roster at this time.
“There are all kinds of different jobs people can do within the fire departments,” stressed Boreen. “From looking after the paperwork and filing end of things, to running hoses or working pumps, to putting on the gear and fighting the fire, we need people to fill a range of roles. The only requirement is an interest in helping their community and a commitment to training.”
Application forms are available on the RDEK’s website and at the Fire Halls. Packages will also be available during the recruitment campaign as firefighters go door to door within their communities.
The deadline for applications to be submitted is December 15.
“There are many benefits of becoming a part of a department,” added Columbia Valley Rural Fire Deputy Chief Martin Caldwell. “There is amazing training and leadership development, lifesaving first aid skills, the reward of knowing you are helping your community and becoming part of a great team. In addition, our firefighters all receive on-call pay.”
Anyone looking for more information on the Elk Valley / South Country Fire Departments can contact Dave Boreen at 250-429-3133. For information on the Columbia Valley Rural Fire Departments, contact Deputy Chief Martin Caldwell at 250-342-6214.
More information on the recruiting campaign is available at www.rdek.bc.ca.
Lead image: The Elko Fire Department, which was officially launched January 30, is the newest of the RDEK’s eight regional fire departments. e-KNOW file photo
RDEK
