Potential firefighting recruits were on hand last night at the Melfort Fire Hall to learn about becoming part of the team.
The fire department is looking to add between five to eight new members.
Marissa Weiss, who is a recruit from the spring of 2020, told northeastNOW at the information session, she has enjoyed her time with the Melfort department thus far.
“It’s definitely a lot of work, but it is very rewarding work and by far one of the best things I have done in my life,” Weiss said. “It is rewarding physically and mentally, being a firefighter is a family and not just showing up at the hall.”
When joining less than one year ago, Weiss brought experience from other smaller departments with her but it’s not something that is required to get involved.
“You start at the recruit level and then move to a probationary firefighter and then eventually to a firefighter,” Weiss said.
She is one of two current female members of the department and hopes more women, if they are curious about being a firefighter, go for it.
“The thought of being a firefighter may be a little daunting but with dedication, time, drive and hard work, I think anybody can do it,” Weiss said.
The acronym E.Y.C which stands for Exercise Your Calm, has been something that Weiss takes with her into each situation she is presented with when it comes to firefighting.
“No matter what situation we are going to, and whatever the scenario may be,” Weiss said. “Whatever we are showing up to, it is probably one of the worst days of someone’s life and if there is anything I can do to make that better for them, I am going to that.”
Captain Graham Calow said he got involved with the department nearly 11 years ago and would recommend learning about it to anyone.
“I think a lot of people might be hesitant and think if they come to a night like we just had that they are committing to joining but it’s certainly just an opportunity to learn about it,” Calow said.
He added that it is not a full-time gig and with adding more members makes it easier to ensure there are always enough members to respond to calls when the time comes.
“The ability to be on a team that all share the same drive and desire, it’s a neat thing to be part of,” Calow said. “We have guys that have been here for 27 and 36 years still loving every day they come and I think that shows how impactful being part of this team is.”
The department is made up of people who come from very different walks of life according to Calow.
“You get to know them very well and very fast, all these different people that come together for this one team,” Calow said.
The physical test portion for the upcoming recruit training is set for the morning of Dec. 11., which will be followed by interviews on Dec. 14 and 15. Those selected as new recruits will be contacted on Dec. 17.
“It’s intimidating to hear there is a physical test but there is a physical component of firefighting but it’s nothing more demanding than what we would experience at a fire scene,” Calow said.
The test simulates the amount of miles that would be walked in terms of getting around a fire ground, hauling heavy equipment to dragging people if needed, hauling heavy hose up and down stairs.
“It does sound demanding when you say there is a physical aspect of it, but it is just basically to give a better idea of how tough you have to be to do this,” Calow said. “Most often people realize, I can probably handle this.”
The new recruits selected will train through the winter to become a paid on-call firefighters.
The first training night for the recruits will be Dec. 21 where manuals, turnout gear, other personal protective equipment, and homework will be handed out. In-house training will take place every Tuesday night from Dec. 21 to March 29, 2022.
Anyone that missed the information night and didn’t get their name in as a potential recruit can contact any of the fire department members.
northeastNOW will be following along with the recruitment process throughout this winter as we find out what paid on-call firefighters do to become firefighters in the City of Melfort.
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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
