Applications are open through Sept. 4. (file photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

MFD recruiting

Melfort Fire Department seeking new recruits

Jul 22, 2020 | 11:00 AM

The Melfort Fire Department is recruiting new volunteer firefighters.

They are accepting applications for the fall firefighter class.

“Recruiting is important to maintain an effective membership level within our fire department,” Fire Chief Shaun Stewart told northeastNOW.

Stewart said they have members from 19 to 60 years old, and some go off to university or retire. Sometimes firefighters realize they can’t maintain the level of commitment that is needed, or their lifestyle has changed to make it impossible to continue with the department.

“We like to have a certain complement of firefighters in there to make sure that we’re able to respond to incidents in the city with the correct number of [firefighters],” Stewart said.

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He said recruits should be physically fit, not afraid to work, and willing to learn. The fire service is always evolving, Stewart added, and there are always new techniques for different disciplines.

“If our department isn’t always learning, you’re being left behind with the technology that’s coming out today, and again safety-wise as well for your fire crews,” Stewart said.

Successful recruits should train hard, respond to emergency incidents, and follow directions from senior firefighters, according to Stewart. The department is also community-minded, helping with fundraising and hosting open houses.

Stewart said having a diverse fire department brings strength.

“The variety of knowledge in an individual is an amazing thing, but you add that single person’s knowledge into a group of individuals that have a variety of knowledge, that group then functioning as a team with a common goal, there’s nothing that group cannot achieve,” Stewart said.

The city’s first female firefighter, Amanda Boland, was appointed to the department in 2017.

Application packages are available at city hall from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All applications have to be in by Sept. 4.

Stewart said they are seeking at least four, and as many as eight new recruits.

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974