Fire halls looking for members

Times Reporter 

 

The Strathmore Rural Fire Department (SRFD) and the Carseland Fire Hall are each looking to add about 10 volunteer firefighters to their ranks. 

“(They) really don’t need any qualifications, they just need to come to the hall for an orientation. We provide all their training that they would need over the time that they are there. We provide all of their personal protective equipment,” said Mark Heilman, fire chief for both halls.

To serve your community is one reason why Heilman thinks someone should join their local fire department, and “for gratification. I have been doing it for 26 years and I do it because I enjoy helping people.”

The level of commitment is a minimum of eight hours a month for training, and then, depending on when the firefighter goes into service – which usually is after three months of training – and how busy it is, the commitment can range from two to 15 hours per month. Heilman said he would like the members to commit to as much time as they can.  

Anyone wishing to join SRFD or Carseland Hall has to be at least 18-years-old and somewhat physically fit. They must live within five minutes of the fire hall. If you live in Strathmore and want to join the SRFD that’s fine, but anyone on the outskirts of town must live within that five-minute mark. 

Having an ‘A’ type personality is also an asset. 

“Somebody that can handle stressful situations and focus on the job that they are doing, no matter what’s around them, just focus on the job they are doing,” said Heilman. 

Time can be taken afterwards to decompress, and if needed, critical stress debriefing will take place. If it is a more serious call, like a fatality, then outside sources will be brought in for the critical stress debriefing. 

Carseland Fire Hall responds to roughly 80 calls per year and SRFD responds to 120 to 150 per year. 

“About 60 per cent of our calls are vehicle collisions,” said Heilman. 

Calls can be for anything from car accidents, to grass fires, structure fires, water rescue, ice rescue and fire alarms. 

Heilman said anyone interested in joining one of the halls could attend one of the regular meetings and let the members know you are interested. 

SRFD holds meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Carseland holds their meetings on the first, second and third Wednesdays of every month at 7:30 p.m.