Rural fire departments struggling to find volunteer firefighters

Watch above: rural fire departments struggle to find volunteers

SASKATOON – A shortage of volunteer firefighters is putting residents in our province at risk, according to the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs.

Chief Trent Lee with the Carlyle and RM 63 Fire Department said how a blaze is fought can depend on many factors, but one of the most crucial variables is how many firefighters are on scene.

“It reduces the effectiveness of our response. If we don’t have enough crews to do an interior attack, then we’ve gotta stay outside and ‘surround and drown’ as we call it,” he explained.

The association said most regions are struggling to recruit volunteers.

“It’s a huge problem … there’s a time issue commitment, and a lot of guys just don’t want to have to leave work, or can’t afford to leave work to come volunteer to be a firefighter,” explained Lee.

He said the problem is getting worse every year.

“A couple of years ago, I had 30-something volunteers, and I’m down to 18. And out of that 18, there are maybe six to seven that are available pretty much 90 per cent of the time,” he said.

Deputy chief Dale Feser with Estevan’s fire department said training to become a firefighter can be extensive and intimidating. He said the reality is firefighters are expected to have a very wide array of skills.

“You’re looking at swift water rescue, ice water rescue, fire suppression, motor vehicle collision, hazardous materials incidents, also confined space rescue,” he said.

The Association of Fire Chiefs Conference was held this week in Saskatoon. During the gathering, fire chiefs from Alberta gave a presentation on recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

“It’s just getting in, doing a little bit of marketing, showing what the fire services is about,” explained deputy Chief Feser.

The association says it’s going to take a serious look at Alberta’s recruitment plan, and work on implementing the strategy in Saskatchewan.