Pictured: One of the Melfort Fire Department's newer recruits, Angie Rolheiser (submitted photo/Angie Rolheiser)

By Ben Tompkins

New Opportunities

Melfort Fire Department hosting annual recruitment night

Nov 15, 2022 | 5:17 PM

The Melfort Fire Department is trying to boost its membership numbers and is looking to do so through its annual fire recruitment night.

The event takes place tonight at 7 p.m. (Tuesday, Nov. 15), at the Melfort Firehall and will feature an overview of the fire department, how it functions, the initial recruitment process and training, and a close-up look at the equipment they have.

According to Fire Chief Shaun Stewart, the department will also have current members there to answer any questions those attending might have.

“We hope to be able to answer any questions that people might have that might be holding them back from becoming a fire department member,” he said.

Depending on how many many people show up for the night has a lot to do with how many the department will take on. They have had as many as 30 people and as few as five people show up in previous years. Former recruit classes have had 10 people in it and some as low as five people.

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The department currently runs with roughly 22 to 24 members, however, Stewart told northeastNOW ideally, they would have closer to 30.

“Our current members all have full-time jobs elsewhere in the City of Melfort or the surrounding area. Some are able to leave work when an incident occurs, but others can’t,” he said. “When these individuals leave their place of work it puts a strain on those businesses and having additional members would help lessen that strain on our local businesses.”

Members have all kinds of other professions, including marketing people, city workers, business owners, retail workers, teachers, tradesmen, people in the Ag industry, research farm workers and body shop techs.

Stewart added these men and women come from all different backgrounds and anyone can join.

“Joining the fire department allows a person to become part of an amazing team, learn new information and acquire skills they never knew they could do. You will also know that you will be helping others who will be having one of the worst days imaginable in their lives, and you will be there to give that person help and hopefully lessen the stress of that day,” he said.

For those who may be unsure if they are capable, Stewart pointed to Angie Rolheiser, one of their most recent recruits.

He said you will surprise yourself when you come and try.

“Angie didn’t think she would be able to do it and is now a valued member of our department. We will train everyone through the recruiting class and then training continues after that. We would never send anyone to do a task at a scene or incident that they weren’t trained for. They would always be paired up with a senior member,” he said.

In the end, the information night is an opportunity for citizens who have often thought or wondered about becoming a firefighter to stop in.

Stewart explained it’s been a hard couple of years for everyone and he’s hoping this turns a new leaf.

“I would like to feel that this is a way for the next generations of firefighters to get out and become part of an amazing team. We need the next generations to start entering the fire department to be able to grow, thrive and continue for years to come,” he said.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8