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Port Hardy Fire Rescue’s open house a blazing hit

PHFR Lt. Harding explained that the organization is always looking for more recruits.
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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Firefighters explain part of their job to Port Hardy locals.

Are you interested in becoming a Port Hardy firefighter? Port Hardy Fire Rescue (PHFR) held its annual open house on Saturday to cap off Fire Prevention Week at Fire Hall No. 1 with tours, demonstrations, and food - all with hopes of recruiting new members and educating locals.

Lieutenant Adam Harding, PHFR’s Information Officer, said that he joined in 2014 and had “wanted to join the fire department for quite a while and I came to a practice night on a Thursday.”

He noted that ever since dropping in on the practice night in 2014 he’s been involved with PHFR. Harding also mentioned PHFR is always on the lookout to recruit new members.

In the last year, PHFR recruited about 10-15 new member.

“If you show up any time of the year, and you’re keen to join the fire department, you’re more than welcome to fill out an application,” he said.

It is preferred that applicants be 18 years old, have graduated high school, hold a BC class 5 driver’s licence, and complete a criminal record check.

Rookie firefighter Carmen Jeune mentioned she joined PHFR because “it teaches you a lot of skills and you’re able to help people when they need it the most.”

The organization regularly trains members to have “a rapid, professional, thorough, and reliable emergency response” by holding practice exercises every week.

Lieutenant Brad Tolmie, a PHFR member for six years, also said that he joined to help the community and give back.

Many other members expressed the same sentiment.

“We recognize that firefighting is a big job - we’re not necessarily looking for people who are in peak physical fitness,” said Harding. “We take all sorts of people. It’s a diverse job. We have everyone from interior attack firefighters to driver/operators only, and everyone is an equally valued member of the team.”

PHFR firefighters also go through extensive training to ensure they can respond to any incident. “Throughout the year we mock-up various scenarios to simulate any sort of emergency we may respond to, from structure fires to rope rescue scenarios to auto-extrication incidents,” Harding explained. He also added that PHFR will “train on any scenario that we may be exposed to. There’s a huge range of activities.”

PHFR always holds an open house every year in October. The open house promotes fire prevention and fire education as well as promotes recruitment. PHFR also takes locals on tours of the fire hall, trucks, and equipment.

“Some people have never been to the fire hall, so they come out here to see what it’s all about. It’s a great opportunity to come out, try some gear on, and in some cases get the firefighting bug.” The firefighters also took residents out on a tour in the fire truck.

If you’re interested in volunteering for PHFR, Harding encourages residents to drop by on Thursday evening practices to learn more about the organization and fill out an application. Interested persons may also visit PHFR online at www.porthardyfire.ca and navigate to the recruitment page.

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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Port Hardy Fire Rescue’s Lt. Harding remote controls the aerial apparatus (extending ladder) on the fire truck.
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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Firefighter meets and greets with Port Hardy local.
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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Locals line up for a burger cooked by the firefighters.
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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Port Hardy Fire Rescue firefighter helps a resident try on equipment.
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THOMAS KERVIN PHOTO Tables were splayed with information about the Port Hardy Fire Rescue.