Three months after a new benefits program was unveiled, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is receiving great feedback from its firefighters.

“We have been looking at ways we could improve firefighter recruitment and retention across all of our departments,” explained RDEK Building & Protective Services Manager Sanford Brown. “We surveyed our members and a benefits package was something they identified. We did extensive research, budgeted for it this year and signed up all of our qualified members in March. So far, the response has been fantastic.”

The benefits program includes:

• Insurance – Life, Accidental Death Disease and Dismemberment, Dependent Life;
• Extended Health – Prescription Drugs, Travel Benefits, Vision Benefits, Paramedical 
Services, Private Nursing, Orthotics, Hearing Aids;
• Dental – Basic Services, Exams;
• Employee Assistance Program.

Firefighters must contribute six months of service to qualify and then complete 70 hours per year of combined training and incident response.

“We cannot stress enough the valuable service these men and women provide in their communities, and we need to bolster our rosters in all of our departments,” added Brown. “We are hoping that having these additional health, dental and insurance benefits will not only show how much we appreciate the dedication of our current members, but also encourage more community members to join.”

In addition to the benefits program, firefighters receive valuable skills, free training and are paid- on-call.

The RDEK has fire departments in Hosmer, Elko, Baynes Lake, Jaffray, Edgewater, Windermere, Panorama and Fairmont Hot Springs.

For more information on the new benefits program or how to become a member of the RDEK Fire Services team, contact the RDEK or visit www.rdek.bc.ca.

RDEK

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