The Carrot River Fire Department is looking for new recruits.
Scott Debienne, the department’s fire chief, said he has four members, who started as junior firefighters, leaving the department to go on to higher education.
“We had junior firefighters that started when they were 16 years of age, went through our junior firefighter program and they’re now going to university,” he said. “We helped them out with some of their life choices, learning while they were growing up.”
One has decided to make firefighting a career.
“One started as a junior firefighter, went away to school, got their 1001 Firefighter [a professional firefighting course] and starts an industrial firefighter job on Monday [Aug. 28].”
Debienne said he’s looking for at least six firefighters to help fill the gaps in the department. Kevin Trew, the town’s administrator, said he’d like to see at least 10.
The fire department is open to adults of all genders. It’s also open to youth of a certain age.
“Juniors – high school kids from 16 to 18 – basically get a chance to try out a career with low commitment,” Debienne said.
All firefighters are training and receive compensation for their efforts. The fire chief said he’s hoping to get a new group of recruits through an extensive firefighting training program sometime in October.
Those interested should contact Debienne at 306-768-3331 or [email protected].
