The Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service is seeking volunteer firefighters to serve in various communities within Kawartha Lakes this fall.
Mike Matthews, deputy chief of the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, said the fire department is recruiting people for several posts, most notably to cover the northern communities of Kinmount, Burnt River, Kirkfield, Carden, and Norland.
“Our hope for the fall 2024 recruitment is to encourage individuals for our fire stations in the northern communities of Kawartha Lakes to apply for the position of volunteer firefighter,” Matthews told kawarthaNOW.
“There are other fire stations we are hiring for as well,” he said, noting those who are interested can check out the recruitment page on the municipality’s website at www.kawarthalakes.ca/vff. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, July 3.
The deputy chief said firefighting provides a rewarding opportunity for community members who join the department.
“This is a valuable way to give back to your community by becoming part of the team that responds when an emergency arises.”
All new recruits are required to complete 40 hours of online training prior to participating in 66 hours of in-person training. Both these elements are mandatory and need to be completed before recruits are assigned to halls and allowed to respond to calls, the deputy chief noted.
A volunteer firefighter is a paid position, with firefighters receiving $23.91 an hour once they begin in-person training.
In terms of the commitment the role involves, Matthews said, “the emergency calls could happen at any time, but we are also very aware of the importance of a good work-life balance.”
Aside from emergency calls, there are two firefighter training nights at the volunteers’ respective stations per month.
“Public education and fire prevention events are a big part of fire service, and there is the ability to be a part of these events in your community,” he noted.
Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service relies on both full-time and volunteer firefighters to staff its fire department. Firefighters are committed to providing fire protection services in their local areas and for the community at large.
“Volunteer firefighters play an important role in keeping our communities safe from fire and other hazards,” Kawartha Lakes notes on its website. People who are dedicated and possess excellent teamwork skills, along with being in good health and having an adequate level of physical fitness, are encouraged to apply for the role.
“Volunteer firefighting is a great way to learn valuable skills, give back to your community and earn extra income,” the website states
Other advantages of volunteer firefighting, according to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, include gaining transferrable life skills, becoming a member of a dedicated team, acquiring valuable knowledge and participating in a wide range of specialized training, and helping to promote a safe community by upholding the three lines of defence against fire: public fire safety education, fire safety standards, and enforcement and emergency response.
Applicants are asked to apply for the firehall that is the closest to where they live. Applying to more than one firehall could disqualify an applicant.
Kawartha Lakes Fire Service is not currently hiring volunteer firefighters for the following firehalls: Station 1 Lindsay, Station 2 Omemee, Station 3 Bobcaygeon, Station 4 Ops, Station 19 Coboconk, Station 21 Mariposa, and Station 22 Fenelon Falls.
