The Yarmouth Fire Department is on track to reach its goal of having a complement of 60 volunteer fire fighters.
Ten new recruits are undertaking Level 1 training.
Yarmouth Fire Chief John Verrall says currently the department has 48 volunteers.
He says a recruiting drive, started two years ago, has been very successful.
The latest recruiting effort began in August and training began earlier this month.
The course has 13 right now, ten YFD recruits and three fire fighters from other departments.
Chief Verrall says the course is all Level 1.
“It gives you the basics of being a fire fighter. It teaches you how to be safe on a scene. It teaches you how to work in a fire department
in a large group. “
Verrall says there are many benefits being offered to encourage more men and woman to apply to volunteer for the
fire service.
“The big benefit for me is the family assistance program. We put that in place about a year and a half ago. They also have insurance so when
they’re on duty with the fire department they’re covered so if they get hurt or God forbid anything else happens to them, they’re covered through the insurance especially if they lose time at work.”
He says they are also looking at a 24 hour insurance.
“If we get enough people in the fire department who want to join it we can actually have them insured even if they’re not at the fire department.
“The big benefit for me is the family assistance program. We put that in place about a year and a half ago.
“There are also provincial and federal tax credits.”
Chief Verrall says there are also provincial and federal tax credits. There are also free license plates and registration
after one year.
He says another big benefit is that the department includes the volunteers’ family.
“We just had a family event over the weekend. We invited all the fire fighters in and their families. There was food and a bouncy tent for the kids.”
The minimum age to apply is 19.
