While it’s usually the other way around, volunteer fire departments in the area are the ones who need some help right now.
The departments are having trouble finding volunteers.
“Staffing in the volunteer fire departments is quite an issue these days,” Ontario Fire Marshall’s office program specialist John Hanna said. “It was better before I think when we had more folks working at home, more people were on the farms and they were able to come out during the day. Daytime staffing is a big problem.”
It’s a big problem because the departments need people 24 hours a day, ready to head out at a moment’s notice. East Gorham fire chief Ted Post said it takes a lot of commitment.
“When that pager goes off we’re there,” he said.
He calls his volunteer situation fragile.
“Jobs change, careers change people move in and out of town, people have families there’s a lot of very important time that’s taken away when you’re training as a fire department so that’s where you have to sacrifice,” he said.
But in the end, the commitment and sacrifice are worth it to make sure the community is safe and the job is done the 15-year veteran said.
Hanna had eight area volunteer fire fighters honing their skills over three days out at Hacqouil Construction. The teams were training on how to operate pumpers trucks as safely and efficiently as they can. From high powered diesel engines to managing different streams, it can take a lot of work to properly run the truck.
“These fire pumpers are actually quite a complex machine,” he said.
Learning new skills is another great reason to become a volunteer fire fighter Hanna said. He started volunteering 33 years ago and it launched a whole new career for him. He encourages anyone interested in joining the volunteer fire department to contact their local fire chief.
