Penticton gets two more fire fighters and home-base training

PENTICTON – The city is expanding its firefighting resources by adding three personnel, including a training officer, to the team.

Two firefighters and a training officer will be hired to start January 1, 2015. Discussions with the Penticton Indian Band led the city to expand its coverage area and allow the band’s volunteer firefighters to train with the Penticton Fire Department under the new training officer.

The addition of the fire training officer position is to assist with skills development and efficiently use the department’s resources and personnel. The officer will assist the management team with operations and programs at the Emergency Fire Training Centre at Fire Hall No. 2. This will allow firefighters to receive live fire training at home, rather than sending them out of the community for training, which saves approximately 70 per cent in training costs, the city estimates.

“These investments will go a long way to ensure Penticton Fire Department is well-trained and equipped to meet the needs of the growing community and safety of responders and residents,” says Fire Chief Wayne Williams.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.