Blind River fire department assessing 8 new recruits

Blind River’s volunteer fire department has increased its volunteer contingent after eight candidate interviews as part of its ongoing recruitment drive.

The Blind River Fire Department has a current compliment of five officers and 11 firefighters, none of which are full-time.

Based on the fact that all of the department is made up of volunteers who have other full-time jobs, the department at times is left with only two to three firefighters able to attend calls.

This is problematic and concerning for the Acting Fire Chief Bruce Brisbois, CAO-Clerk Katie Scott told council in a report.

A call was put out for new recruits and the department was successful in receiving strong candidates, according to the report.

All were interviewed with a recommendation by Acting Chief Brisbois, to hire all on a 12-month probationary period.

The probationary period will allow the officers to assess the skills, learning and commitment to the department in their attendance at training, and calls.

In the past two years the fire department has seen a steady decrease in attendance. It wants to ensure that the new hires are committed to the department prior to investing in the costly bunker and other needed gear.

The department has enough “out of service” gear that can be utilized for the new recruits to train in. 

But they will not be able to wear the gear for the purposes of fighting a fire, for which they would not have the training necessary for 12 months. At that time, the successful candidates would move into being active volunteers.

Blind River has wages allocated in the budget currently, which is not expected to impact the department’s overall budget.

The candidates are Gaurav Sharma, Chris Bond, Kyra Gaudreau, Ryan Hummel, Anthony Brisbois, John H. Wiitala, Kyle Taylor, and Kerry King.

Council voted in favour of hiring the eight candidates on a 12-month probationary period to assess skills, and dedication to the department.