More volunteers needed for new Monte Creek Fire Department

The Monte Creek Volunteer Fire Department will be a satellite hall working in conjunction with the existing Pritchard department, which gives both zones more resources for large-scale events.

Coray says the experience is rewarding, leading to many friendships with like-minded people and a sense of pride in the job.

“You’re there to help the community, and we try to make things fun, so you enjoy being there to service the community,” Coray says. “These members in the Pritchard Fire Department, it’s not just the firefighting, they’ve done many other things to help the community at events like the rodeo. It’s just a good feeling to help out the community.”

Jeremy Denny is the regional training officer for the Thompson Nicola Regional District, and he will also be helping new volunteers get up to speed.

“It takes a certain kind of person to want to run into a fire. Most people run away,” Denny says. “Most times you have like-minded individuals around you. You become a family.”

The firefighters will face structure fires, car fires, and wildfires. Volunteer firefighters are paid per call for their response, training, and practice. All required protective equipment is provided and there are no out-of-pocket costs.

No previous experience is required to become a volunteer firefighter and adults of all ages, genders and backgrounds are encouraged to join the volunteer fire department.

Volunteer firefighters are required to:

· have a valid driver’s license

· be at least 18 years of age

· be physically able to perform tasks and duties of the job

· undergo a criminal record check

· be able to commit to training for two hours per week at their local fire hall

· live, or work, in the fire response area

Once trained up, volunteers are expected to attend weekly training at their hall. The Pritchard crew meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Those who missed this weekend’s recruitment drive are encouraged to come to the crew’s Wednesday meetings.

When emergencies strike, the volunteers will be contacted, any time, day, or night.

“You’ll get a pager given to you if you join a hall and you’ve spent the time and you’re trained up to what we called exterior grade firefighter,” Denny says. “When a call has gone out to the authorities, they’ll page the district fire hall, and then that page will go out to your pager. Then you respond to this hall, you gear up, and then you jump in your car and away you go.”

Coray hopes to have a full complement of trainees in time for fall when training will begin.

“The biggest thing is [for] people that are willing to put themselves out there and volunteer — there’s a job you can do. There are very few limitations,” he says.

by Stephanie Swensrude

More volunteers needed for new Monte Creek Fire Department

Our Community