PENTICTON — Firefighters in Penticton are fired up about their newly upgraded training facility — and the person in charge of implementing the training program. Graham Vujcich has been a full-time firefighter with the Penticton Fire Department since 1994, so he’s a familiar face but he’s taken on a new role as training officer.
“I’m very excited. Training has always been a favourite part of the job and this is an excellent opportunity for me to use my skills that I’ve learned, so I can train other firefighters to do the job safely,” he says.
Penticton city council approved funding for Vujcich’s position last fall. In addition, it has always approved funding to upgrade the training centre in its 2015 budget.
Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says this move is a cost-saving measure because the members won’t have to travel out of town to practice specialized drills.
“For us to be able to train on shift….we’re here and still able to respond to emergencies,” Spalding says.
The renovated facility includes a building where members can practice rescue techniques, an area where they can knock down simulated fires and do vehicle extrication.
The training centre is also opened up to fire departments in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region and also other agencies such as the RCMP and towing companies.
Vujcich says the convenience of training, just steps from one of the fire halls, will give firefighters the upper hand in responding to blazes.
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