Volunteer Firefighters Needed in Langdon, Madden and Irricana

CHESTERMERE – The Rocky View County is currently looking for all ranks of experienced and non-experienced volunteer firefighters to supplement fire services and bolster responses in the community. The county is looking for 18 to 20 positions overall to volunteer in Langdon, Madden and Irricana. Now this may seem like a huge number, but did you know that 70% of firefighters in the province are volunteer firefighters. And did you know that most every firefighter in Chestermere began their career as a volunteer firefighter. Currently there are 23 members in the Langdon Fire Department. Deputy Fire Chief Perry Prete said they are constantly looking for volunteer firefighters; it’s the nature of the industry. Most of the firefighters receive their training as a volunteer and eventually move into a paid position. Although all the training the firefighter go through and then move on somewhere else appears to be expensive, Prete said “Our loss is the industries gain”. “It’s a transient industry but we find that many of the volunteers also move into other public service areas like police and paramedics”. “We’re made from the same mold – we are the type of people who want to give back to the community and have compassion for our fellow man” added Prete. “That said, in Langdon we have Bob and Ron Wenstrom who have been volunteer firefighters for 23 years; Bob is a Captain and Ron is the Station Chief”.
All of the Rocky View County Fire Services comprises full time, part time and volunteer firefighter members. At present, the County has three volunteer stations and anticipates building up to four more in the coming years. Volunteers receive compensation, committed leadership, comprehensive training, and all required uniforms/protective equipment to pursue firefighting duties. The training is the National Fire Protection Association Levels I & II, which is the provincial minimum standard. The training is like a boot camp and they’ll be trained in wild land prairie firefighting, bush fires, motor vehicle accidents and extrication, search and rescue and water and ice rescue.
“This is a great way to serve the community and meet new people,” says Prete, “It’s a chance to serve with honour, compassion and integrity.”
Joining Fire Services has many benefits such as meeting new people, joining a family of firefighters and be part of a team, give back to the community, free training to provincial standards, tax exemptions and compensation for attending calls; as well there’s the personal rewards and excitement of the job.
Anyone interested must be 18 years of age or older, physically fit, committed, compassionate, and responsible. A mechanical aptitude is also a helpful attribute. Women can be just as qualified as men and should apply for these positions also.
Volunteer firefighters meet either weekly or bi-weekly, depending on their assigned fire station, to receive training. Volunteers are required to carry a radio. If volunteers receive a call out and are able to attend, they first rally at the fire station and then travel to the location in a County vehicle with other volunteers.
Rocky View County Fire Services’ number one priority is safety, followed by servicing the community. Interested volunteers can email firefighters@rockyview.ca for more information.