If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a firefighter, you’ll soon have your chance.
On May 16, the Nakusp Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a “be a firefighter for the night” event, running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Emergency Services Building.
This isn’t the first event of its kind in the Kootenays.
“A couple of other departments have tried it,” said Terry Warren, fire chief of the Nakusp Volunteer Fire Department. “The first one was Kaslo, and then there was Midway, and it’s been successful. It’s to encourage men and women to come out and be a firefighter for the night, and try to get them interested in joining.”
In order to take part in the event, a resident must be 19 years old or up, and be in relatively good shape.
After signing a waiver, participants are fitted into turnout gear and will run through various activities the department does in preparation for an emergency.
These activities include hitting or bagging a fire hydrant, advance a hose line, spray water, learn to climb a ladder, running the pumps in one of the big engines to get the water flowing, and dragging Rescue Randy, a dummy that is 175 pounds of dead weight.
The hope is to get a few new applicants for the fire department. As of September, six of the department’s members will be in their 60s. Some of them have been with the department for 15, 20, even 25 years. Warren himself is on his 35th year with the department.
“Usually what we do is rely on members to go out and ask friends and anybody that they can talk to, to come and see us and get an application,” he said. “Right now we’re in the teens again, and I don’t like it when we’ve got a membership in the teens.”
Warren said some people think all firefighters do is ride in a big red truck and jump into a fire. This is just one of the many things the department does, including everything from fire prevention to fire investigation. Volunteer firefighters can also have the opportunity to advance to a paid department.
Advanced registration for the event isn’t required, but is recommended.