Photo Credit: EverythingGP stock photo.

By Shane Clausing

Community

County of Grande Prairie looking for new firefighters at Clairmont and Dunes stations

Nov 9, 2020 | 5:30 AM

The Clairmont and Dunes fire stations are in need of more part-time, NFPA-certified firefighters to join their team. Applications for the part-time positions open on November 9.

Firefighters that do apply must possess the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a current, class 3 Alberta Driver’s License with airbrake endorsement
• History of a safe driving record
• Possess a Grade 12 education
• Pass RCMP Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
• NFPA 1001 Level 1 and Level 2 certification (IFSAC and/or ProBoard)
• NFPA 472 or 1072 Awareness and Operation certification (IFSAC and/or ProBoard)
• Recognized Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Medical First Responder, Advanced First Aid (minimum 80-hour program) or higher. Valid first aid required if you are not a registered practitioner with the Alberta College of Paramedics
• Current level “C” CPR
• Incident Command System 100 Certificate
• Pass a medical assessment with a County Regional Fire Service approved physician and undergo a psychological assessment with a County Regional Fire Service approved psychologist
• Aptitude for physically demanding but rewarding work
• Positive, team-oriented attitude
• A minimum commitment of 48 hours (four shifts) per month

Jason Nesbitt, the Deputy Fire Chief with the County of Grande Prairie says this is a great opportunity for young firefighters, especially those fresh out of school.

“When you go to a fire training school and you come out of that school, you’re competing against hundreds, if not thousands of people across Canada for career fire jobs, and it’s a very competitive career to go after. Many people will apply to ten different places or the same place ten times, sometimes before they even get to the stage of getting an interview or even getting offered a position.”

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“With us, we offer a little more of a unique opportunity where members can come into these part time positions right out of fire schools and receive quality training and experience within a career of service, that will help them either move into a full time position in our service one day, or with another service if they so choose to apply to other areas.”

Nesbitt tells EverythingGP that the County is looking to hire around five new part-time members. He adds that there is currently a pool of 35 part-time firefighters that are already hired throughout the stations.

Nesbitt says that the new firefighters that are hired will receive training for the first year, to ensure that they are ready for whatever challenges they may face.

“We offer fire apparatus driver operator training, pump operator training, ice rescue technician training, within that first year they have some specific requirements.”

Nesbitt also mentioned that the stations both have an adequate number of firefighters already hired and that the new hires have nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re always on the hunt, usually annually for part-time members and just to reiterate that this is a great opportunity for people coming out of schools just looking to grow their career, pick up some extra income, experience, and they’re able to serve their community at the same time and gain that experience.”

The fire department will also be holding an information session on November 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The deadline to apply for the positions is November 27, 2020. The information session and applications for the job can be found here.