Salute frontline worker and firefighter Lieutenant Peter Stantic and his squad

Lieutenant Peter Stantic and his Kelowna Fire Department squad never know what the day is going to throw at them.

"It could be a structure fire, but it's more likely to be a first response for a motor vehicle accident, a heart attack or a drug overdose," said Stantic.

"We're the Swiss Army knife of the department."

Stantic heads up a squad of two other firefighters who all hop in the truck in a flash, switch on the flashing lights and rush off to the emergency of the moment.

COVID has changed the way the firefighters operate, but hasn't changed the fact they are part of the frontline that constantly helps and protects.

When responding to a fire, a full face mask is always part of the uniform.

But now masks have to be worn when riding in the fire truck and additional personal protective gear is required on all calls.

There's also an assessment at the scene to determine if the people have been out of the country in the past two weeks or if they are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.

"It's our new normal," said Stantic.

At Fire Station No. 1 all the firefighters practice social distancing, wear a mask indoors and rigerous clean at the start and finish of every shift.

Stantic previously worked as an engineering technologist at KF Aerospace (formerly Kelowna Flightcraft).

But he followed his passion to become a firefighter by first volunteering and then being hired in 2000 and working his way up the ranks.