The B.C. Wildfire Service is now recruiting firefighters for next summer's wildfire season.
The past two summers have seen the worst fire seasons in B.C. history, with more than 560 infernos in 2018.
The B.C. Wildfire Service wants new hires to work throughout the province, including in Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel, 100 Mile House and Alexis Creek. There are up to 200 positions available.
Ryan Kinahan has been a firefighter for the past two seasons. In order to become a firefighter, he had to pass a screening phase, an interview and a rigorous physical test.
Ever wanted to jump out of a plane to get to work? We’re looking for people with 1+ yrs of wildland firefighting experience (2+ preferred) to join our Parattack crews in #FtStJohn and #MackenzieBC
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) December 4, 2018
Apply: https://t.co/C5BNitUIX5
Inquiries: [email protected] pic.twitter.com/sTgxoOfJh1
The work season typically begins in May and ends in September, although some firefighters do get work well on into the fall. It all depends on the fire season.
After successful completion of a first season, firefighters are eligible for recall rights and will have a job with a four- to eight-month term; some even get year-round work.
Kinahan says the work, while demanding, makes a difference.
"I was working west of Williams Lake on the Puntzi Lake airbase. A lot of it was running hose lengths either to water pumps or directly to the ire line, where we would be spraying the fire. We would do seek-and-destroy missions, where we would find hot spots where the fire was still burning underground. I did a bit of saw work, where I would fell trees to make room for people to go in and work," he tells PrinceGeorgeMatters. "I did like that it felt that I was actually helping, where it was such a big deal and affecting so many people."
Kinahan adds he found the work to be occasionally demoralizing, and that potential new recruits should consider the realities of camp life: the work keeps the firefighters away from their family members and isolated with strangers from many different backgrounds. But overall, Kinahan says he really enjoyed the experience, the pay was excellent, and that he will do it again this summer.
Those who are interested in firefighting can find more information and complete the online application HERE, or can contact Eric Kopetski at the Cariboo Fire Centre for more information. Out of the 200 positions, the Kamloops Fire Centre usually has up to 50 vacancies.
— Jordan Tucker is a freelancer writer for PrinceGeorgeMatters
