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Will you answer the call? 10 things you need to know about Port Hardy Fire Rescue volunteers

Department seeks local men and women to join its volunteer ranks
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The Port Hardy Fire Rescue team. kph photography

Whether it was your childhood dream job or you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, Port Hardy Fire Rescue has the volunteer opportunity for you.

The department is boosting its volunteer ranks, especially for the Storey’s Beach area, and is hosting an open house Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Storey’s Beach Fire Hall.

“It’s an exciting and rewarding opportunity – you’ll work with a great group of volunteers and give back to the community,” says firefighter Adam Harding, noting some members have been involved for 20-plus years. “We have a lot of support from the community. Often when we’re called out we’re helping our friends and neighbours.”

Will you answer the call? Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Port Hardy Fire Rescue serves the Port Hardy area, working daily to prevent loss of life and reduce pain, suffering and property damage while providing a safe, efficient and professional-level service.
  2. Beyond firefighting, firefighters provide rescue services, fire prevention education, mutual aid to other North Island communities and more.
  3. What makes a good firefighter? Beyond a desire to help people, firefighters need courage, dedication, assertiveness and a willingness to learn new skills and face new challenges. Members also perform strenuous work in uncertain, hazardous environments as an efficient team.
  4. Port Hardy Fire Rescue strives to maintain a diverse membership featuring people of varied backgrounds, skills, training and experience.
  5. Port Hardy’s firefighters enjoy continuous learning, including practice nights, occasional weekend training, lectures, pre-incident planning, exercises and joint-department training.
  6. Personal rewards include a deep sense of accomplishment after successes like controlling a structure fire, helping accident victims and teaching fire safety.
  7. Desirable traits include: previous firefighting and volunteer experience; physically fit and committed to continuous learning; good communications skills and able to work in a team; mechanically inclined; experienced with heavy equipment or commercial vehicles, tools, communications equipment, information technology systems and applications; apprenticeship/trade certification; and knowledge of the Port Hardy area.
  8. Not a volunteer job to be taken lightly, emergency calls, training and other responsibilities require a significant time commitment, so volunteers should speak with their family and employer before committing.
  9. Applicants must be at least 18, a Port Hardy resident, legally employable in B.C., complete a Criminal Record Check and hold a valid Class 5 B.C. driver’s license. They must have completed high school or have equivalent education/experience, and be available most Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. for training.
  10. Curious? Visit Saturday’s open house, 3 to 7 p.m. at the Storey’s Beach Fire Hall to learn about your local fire department, fire prevention and becoming a firefighter, take a tour, see demonstrations and more!

Learn more at porthardyfire.ca or on Facebook.

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Firefighter on the job.