Quesnel high school students who are interested in fighting wildfires will have a chance to learn about a program that can give them a headstart along that career path next week.
The BC Wildfire Service will host three information sessions in the Cariboo Fire Centre next week for Grade 12 students interested in participating in the Junior Fire Crew Program during the 2020 fire season.
Students who are accepted into this program will acquire basic firefighting skills, learn how to write resumés and prepare for job interviews, gain WorkSafeBC first aid and transportation endorsement certifications, complete wildfire-related training courses, and receive high school credits, according to a newsletter from the Cariboo Fire Centre, released Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Applicants must be Grade 12 students who are physically fit, team-oriented and willing to work outdoors in remote locations.
At the end of the program, some students will be offered jobs working on a BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) fire crew for two to four months next summer.
Students who wish to apply for next year’s Junior Fire Crew Program must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when attending one of the upcoming meetings, which are being held in Quesnel, 100 Mile House and Williams Lake.
Quesnel students who are interested in the Junior Fire Crew Program are invited to an information meeting Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at Correlieu Secondary School.
The BCWS says attendance at this information session is not required for students who want to apply for the Junior Fire Crew Program in Quesnel, but it is strongly encouraged.
For additional information, contact Matt Duran at 250-992-2146 or Earl Tourangeau at School District No. 28.
The Junior Fire Crew Program is a partnership between the BCWS and school districts throughout the province.
The Cariboo Fire Centre’s program was established in 1998, and many alumni are still active in the province’s firefighting crews. Other participants have gone on to fill senior positions within the BCWS.
“Firefighting is a unique job and a great opportunity for people interested in challenging themselves mentally and physically, seeing some of the most spectacular locations in the province and working with a great group of dedicated people who are passionate about what they do,” according to the Cariboo Fire Centre newsletter. “During the winter, seasonal firefighters can pursue other activities such as post-secondary education or travelling.”
READ MORE: Cariboo Fire Centre experiencing little fire activity at this time
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