Junior firefighting program draws new interest

A junior firefighting program being considered in western P.E.I. is already attracting young people ready to volunteer.

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Volunteer fire departments have been struggling to replace older firefighters as they retire, and it's an issue of both recruitment and retention.

Chief William Bishop of the Tyne Valley Fire Department said his department invests between $5,000 and $7,000 for each new trainee, and some only last six months.

'A lot of people don't know what they're getting involved with'

His department is now considering a junior firefighters program to give young people a taste of what's involved.

"Get them to volunteer with us to see what's involved with the fire department, what our job is and what the commitment is," said Bishop.

"A lot of people don't know what they're getting involved with. You think, 'Oh, yeah, I just go to fires, and that's it, right?' But they don't realize that there's all the medical calls, all the education you do at the schools, the volunteering that you do within the communities that comes with it."

Bishop estimates rural firefighters spend an average of at least eight hours a week on the job. He thinks a junior program could be a good way to make sure people understand the commitment the job takes.

The program would be aimed at 16- to 19-year-olds.

Program could start this fall

The junior recruits would do work around the fire station, such as rolling hoses and cleaning, and observing at fires. They would be kept away from traumatic situations, potentially fatal fires, medical calls and car accidents.

Eight people have already shown interest in the program.

If the department goes ahead with it, the program will likely start in the late fall or early in the new year.

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