EDMONTON — Do you think you have what it takes to be a firefighter? From running into burning buildings, to rescuing someone from a trapped vehicle, a group of prospective firefighters got a glimpse of what a career as a firefighter would be like.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services held its annual recruitment open house Saturday morning. Those in attendance had a chance to learn more about what it’s like to be a firefighter in Edmonton.
“There are times when we’re not specifically fighting fires,” said Keven Lefebvre, deputy chief of Training and Logistics with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. “We go to a lot of medical aid calls each year, we do fire prevention activities, and public education and outreach; different activities other than just fire fighting.”
As the city continues to grow, so too does the demand on firefighters. Each year, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services hires 20-50 new recruits.
“As the city gets bigger, it’s a different game somewhat,” said Lefebvre. “A lot of fires are just caused by human error so the more people there are the more mistakes get made and the more fires we have.”
Anxious to learn the ropes was 17-year-old fire cadet Annastasia Johnson. While she’s too young to join the team this year, Johnson hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps.
“My dad has been on the job for about 15 years and he’s been my inspiration since I was little,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help people the way that he’s helped people.”
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Johnson’s father has told her countless stories over the years, which she said encouraged her towards a career as a firefighter.
“He’s seen a lot of things and it’s definitely been traumatic, but honestly I feel like that’s made him so much more stronger, it’s made him who he is,” said Johnson. “My dad has always said that you can do a whole lot more than you actually think.”
There are currently more than 1,100 firefighters in Edmonton. Of those, just eight are women. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services hopes to change that.
“We’re doing a more aggressive outreach to make women, as well as minorities and newcomers to the city, aware of the opportunity of firefighting,” said Lefebvre. “There’s a lot of people that self-deselect themselves out of the process because they just think they don’t have what it takes.”
Johnson thinks she has what it takes and hopes to add her name to the list in the coming years.
“I feel like I’m strong enough to be able to lift a 200-pound man with my legs. I feel like I can push through anything,” she said. “Honestly, what inspires me the most is being part of a family that saves people and saves each other… I’m excited to be a part of the community.”
Recruitment for 2017 will begin in March.
With files from Jessica Kent, Global News.
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