Merritt Fire department appeals for recruits

[five_alarm]

MERRITT, BC - When the fire bell rings everyone wants firefighters to respond but in order for that to happen Merritt needs volunteers. “A lot of people don’t realize that this department relies on its volunteers,”

Fire Chief Dave Matteucci explains. “Because they are volunteers they have jobs and lives, that means, at times, they are unavailable to respond. We need more of them to ensure we can always respond with enough firefighters to get the job done safely.”

He adds that when viewed by the general public, firefighters often look disorganized at emergencies but that is the farthest from the truth. Each firefighter is part of a small group focusing on a single task. "Many of these small groups are organized by one leader and the overall team is working a very specific plan. We also have a group staged ready to go in the event something unexpected happens and one of our own is put in danger,” ...

Pick up an application form at City Hall or the fire station or
Call Fire Chief Matteucci at 378-5626.

Source: merrittherald.com (http://www.merrittherald.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=19&cat=23&id=622299&more=)

[five_alarm]

MERRITT, BC - “Because I look good in red,” Rani Hothi joked when asked why she became a firefighter.

Hothi has been a firefighter with Merritt Fire Rescue since 1999. When you meet her at the bank it may seem hard to believe that she spends much of her spare time in fire gear. She is a well-dressed professional woman. But it is that difference in her two worlds that is one reason she enjoys fighting fires. She said it is something that is completely different from what she does in the corporate world in which she works so it offers her challenges. She added there are many more reasons for being a member.

“My favourite thing is giving back to the community I was raised in.” She said one advantage that she hadn’t even considered when she signed up was the bond that she would form with the people she met at the hall.

Source: merrittherald.com (http://www.merrittherald.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=19&cat=43&id=635946&more=)

[LTPVFD]

MERRITT, BC -

“My favourite thing is giving back to the community I was raised in.” She said one advantage that she hadn’t even considered when she signed up was the bond that she would form with the people she met at the hall.

Source: merrittherald.com (http://www.merrittherald.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=19&cat=43&id=635946&more=)


Now - if we could all get people who want to give back to their community, make new friends, and learn now skills, we may be able to solve some of our recruitment problems. :)


Stay safe !!


LTPVFD

[five_alarm]

MERRITT, BC - Gail Pighin is a self-proclaimed adrenalin junky. For that reason being a volunteer for Merritt Fire Rescue is a natural fit. She was one of last year’s recruits and says she got involved as a way to challenge herself.

“I am constantly seeking ways the challenge myself both mentally and physically,” she says. “Being a firefighter has definitely done this for me.” She says from the practices to the calls there is never a time when she doesn’t feel like she is learning something. One thing she has learned about herself is that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

“At first when someone suggested it I thought I couldn’t do it,” she says. “But now I know I can do anything.” She explains that the training is tough and when you finish it you are left with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Source: merrittherald.com (http://www.merrittherald.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=19&cat=43&id=641044&more=)