West Kelowna Fire Rescue is hiring several paid-on-call firefighters

Central Okanagan residents witnessed first hand the heroics of firefighters as wildfires broke out all around us in mid-August.

For those who saw those efforts and started to seriously think about getting involved, now is your chance.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is looking for people who are passionate about helping others and protecting their community to join their team of paid-on-call firefighters.

Online applications are now being accepted until Oct. 15, as WKFR looks to fill “several positions” and begin training successful candidates early in the new year.

Previous firefighting experience is not required, as the paid-on-call training program is a nine-month process that includes weekday and weekend sessions.

There will be an information session held at the Glenrosa Firehall Station #34, 3999 Gates Rd., from 6-6:30 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 27, where people can learn more about the training schedule.

“WFKR will provide professional training and on-the-job experience to become valued members of the team and highly skilled firefighters,” explains a release. “Members find the program rewarding because they are able to make a difference in their local community.”

These are the requirements needed to apply for a paid-on-call position with WKFR:

• Nineteen years of age or older
• Grade 12 education or equivalent
• Be a resident of the City of West Kelowna or Westbank First Nation
• Physically fit and have a doctor's consent to participate in fitness testing
• Valid Class 5 B.C. driver's licence with no more than six points and no prohibitions or suspensions in the past three years
• Police information check with vulnerable sector
• Able to attend training sessions on weekday evenings and weekends
• A current EMA licence and NFPA 1001 certification is an asset

You can learn more about the program by clicking this link.