Ten new recruits added to Fire Rescue

After six weeks of intensive training, West Kelowna Fire Rescue has now added ten new firefighters to its roster meaning, for the first time ever, Lakeview Heights Fire Station #32 is fully staffed around the clock.

The new employees will allow Westbank Centre Fire Station #31 and Station #32 to aggressively attack fires inside of buildings, without waiting for additional resources to arrive.

“West Kelowna Council’s commitment to public safety included the addition of eight new firefighters to West Kelowna Fire Rescue in 2019. Two other recruits replaced vacancies in the department,” said Kirsten Jones, Strategic Communications Manager, City of West Kelowna.

The new firefighters will also dramatically reduce the amount of overtime being worked by firefighters.

The new recruits have been trained in Technical Rescue, Firefighter Safety and Survival, Medical First Responder, Auto Extrication, Structural and Wildland Firefighting and also participated in the Resilient Minds Mental Health Program.

They have also volunteered their time installing smoke alarms in the community.