The Parksville Fire Department is recruiting positive, energetic and community-minded women and men to join their team of paid on-call volunteer firefighters.
A recruitment class will begin this spring and applications are being accepted until March 5 at 4 p.m. Details and application forms can be found the Parksville Fire Department website, www.parksvillefirerescue.ca.
They’re looking for volunteer firefighters who can demonstrate the values of trust, honesty, integrity, compassion, empathy and who can perform as part of a team. Parksville Fire, a composite department of volunteer on-call and career firefighters, provides fire and rescue services for the Parksville Fire Protection Area. They’ve served the community since 1942, responding to emergencies 365 days a year.
Volunteer on-call firefighters care about their community and want to be actively involved. They have more than just a desire to help people, they display courage, dedication, assertiveness, a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. Accepted candidates will be trained, challenged, and have their lives changed.
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Professional training and on-the-job experience are exceptional opportunities to learn and develop skills as team members, leaders and highly-skilled firefighters. Firefighting offers both personal and professional challenges. As well as extensive training in all aspects of firefighting, the benefits of being a volunteer firefighter include community recognition, personal satisfaction, the chance to make new friends and be involved in community activities; from firefighting and rescue to public education. The department also offers a junior program for those under the age of 19, as to provide an introduction to life as a member.
Candidates for volunteer firefighters should be:
• 19 years of age or older;
• Healthy and physically fit (medical and fitness screening required), as well as a non-smoker;
• Good driver (valid B.C. driver’s licence and good driving record);
• Of good character (RCMP security check required);
• Able and willing to commit to the community;
• Live in the Parksville Fire Protection area (ideally live within City of Parksville boundaries);
• Daytime availability preferred;
• Able to attend weekly training sessions;
Before applying, please learn about the position requirements, and the tasks and different steps in the selection process. To learn more, those interested can call the fire hall at 250-248-3242 during business hours (Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and speak with a member.
— NEWS Staff, submitted