Firefighters In Demand

If you’ve ever wanted to fight wildfires, a course in Vernon can teach you how.

Craig Moore is a certified instructor for wildland firefighter training — a one day course that teaches the basics of fire suppression, safety, and bear awareness.

Moore says it’s not a job for everyone, and you have to be in pretty good shape.

“You should be. You’re climbing up and down hills, in the heat, working in the black smoke and stuff like that, so it is a physical job.”

Moore says they see both men and women taking the course.

“I get females that come in and love it once they get out there, working away. It’s great for the guys too, a little team work back and forth which is great.”

Moore’s 12th and final training session of the season will be at Kal Tire Place Saturday.

“The nice thing about this is, getting your ticket at this time of year, it’s good for one year, so you’ll be  ahead of the game for next spring when they need more firefighters.”

Moore says graduates of the course go on to work with contract crews to fight fires — and if there are no fires, they can also work as tree planters.