Squamish Fire Rescue deputy chief Bill Stoner’s voice rises in excitement when asked what there is to like about being a volunteer firefighter.
“I could talk about it forever; for sure there is the community aspect… to be able to do something that really helps out or contributes to the community, helps it grow, is a great feeling,” said Stoner, who was a volunteer firefighter for nine years before becoming a full-time paid member nine years ago. “It’s the challenges. You occasionally get to go out there and make a huge difference in someone’s life. That’s great.”
The department is currently running its annual drive for volunteer firefighters, in particular for its downtown fire hall.
“Right now our membership is good. It could be better,” said Stoner. “Where we would like to see stronger numbers is in the downtown – the Hall 1 area.”
The department is hoping to take on about 10 new volunteers.
Squamish currently has 50 to 60 volunteer firefighters, Stoner said.
Applicants are required to be permanent Squamish residents, at least 19 years old and fit, but Stoner said the average Squamish resident is likely fit enough.
“We don’t need supermen or superwomen,” he said. “A good level of fitness is what we need, but nothing extraordinary. It shouldn’t be a barrier to most Squamish people – who are generally a healthy breed.”
If accepted, volunteers train January to June, one night a week and one weekend day a week.
“We do everything that you need to do to operate on the fire ground safely,” he said.
“The training is good, it is challenging, it is enjoyable; everyone who went through it last year thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Within three years, if volunteers attend enough practices, they will gain certification as a professional firefighter, Stoner said – “the same certification that a firefighter in New York, Los Angeles or Toronto or Vancouver would have.”
For those not old enough to be a volunteer firefighter, the department is offering its Junior Fire Academy for high school students this fall following the first successful academy held this past spring.
“It is a great way to touch base with some members of our community that maybe we don’t always get to touch base with,” he said. “Whether it is a recruitment tool or not, I don’t know, but if in a couple of years – they get a little taste of it – they want to come back, we would certainly be thrilled with that.”
Exact dates for the fall academy have not been set, Stoner said.
Deadline for applications to be a Squamish Fire Rescue volunteer is Sept. 30.
Potential volunteers can pick up an application at 40439 Tantalus Rd. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or print them off the District of Squamish website at www.squamish.ca.
