The Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department is looking for new recruits for the 2023-2024 training year, and is hosting an open house in June for those interested in learning more.

Volunteer applications are now being accepted, and anyone considering applying is welcome to visit the Courtenay Fire Hall at 650 Cumberland Road on Wednesday, June 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet the team, ask questions, and find out what it’s like to join this progressive, inclusive, highly trained department.

The department is hoping for around 12 recruits for the next training year. Applications are due by June 23. Medical and fitness testing would be completed in in late June, followed by interviews in August, with recruits formally beginning in September. Training will be completed in 12 months with graduates achieving professional firefighter NFPA 1001 Level 2.

Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Welsh says the department is looking forward to meeting interested recruits. “We’re really proud of our team, our training, and our facilities,” said Welsh. “Our program will provide the necessary skills to achieve professional firefighter certification in one year, which is the same certification used by departments across North America. We encourage anyone who’s curious about firefighting to come to our open house. We did this for the first time last year and found it was a great opportunity for people considering applying to ask questions and learn more about the department.”

Recruits must be City of Courtenay residents at least 18 years old, with a valid B.C. driver’s licence and willing to get a current driver’s abstract and criminal record check. Candidates must also be in good physical condition and available for weekly Tuesday night training sessions.

Training takes place at the Courtenay Fire Hall and the W.A. Lane MacDonald Fire Training Centre on Waters Place, with some specialized training off-site.

Over the 12-month training period, recruits will learn:

• Confined space
• Auto extrication
• Live firefighting
• First responder medical
• Self-rescue techniques
• Wildfire
• Hazardous materials

For more information the department and how to apply, visit www.courtenay.ca/fire or call 250-334-2513.