Volunteer Fire Fighters Wanted

BRFA is recruiting.

Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) is looking for some eager men and women to join the volunteer force. On Wednesday BFRA will be at the Centennial Centre in Bonnyville for the Volunteer Appreciation Evening looking for some new recruits. Captain with BRFA, Kevin Vallee, says anyone is welcome to come find out more, no experience necessary and training is available.

“We do all the training in house at our training centre,” the centre is located just north of town near the Municipal District of Bonnyville’s Public Works Shop, says Vallee. BRFA fundraised and secured grants to build the facility; which allows for the best and newest training available. “We very fortunate, in Bonnyville, to have equipment, training facilities and the trainers that we have here.”

“When you’re done with our program, you could be a professional fire fighter. So, if you wanted to go to the cities and join one of their programs, as a full-time fire fighter instead of just a volunteer, you would be able to do that,” Vallee says BRFA offers a NPFA Standard 1001 Fire Fighter Program. The same program that’s offered in Vermilion at the Lakeland Fire School. “Except it’s free here, we only ask for your time.” Typically, the program can be completed in a year through BRFA.

To become a volunteer, first you would apply says Vallee, “then there’s an interview process and like all other volunteer organizations in Alberta, you need a criminal record check and a driver’s license.” You must be over 18 to apply. If you are under 18 years of age and interested in becoming a fire fighter, ask about the BRFA Junior Program.

BRFA will be on hand at the Volunteer Appreciation Evening Wednesday from 5-8 pm at the Centennial Centre. You can also drop by the Bonnyville Fire Hall on Tuesday evenings, during fire practice to learn more and apply to become a volunteer fire fighter.