It was a red letter weekend for certain recruits of the Williams Lake Fire Department.
Varindor Kamboj, Jessica Sutherland. Cody Nunn, and Dino Lecomte were in 100 Mile House for their Live Fire Evaluation which is the first component to get their Professional Qualifications Certificate.
Deputy Fire Chief and Training Officer Brendan Foote said fires were lit inside a burn building where the recruits had to demonstrate that they could go in safely, effectively, and extinguish those fires.
“All four recruits did successfully pass their Live Fire Training. Each one was able to demonstrate tactical effectiveness, sound communication with their crew members as well as the high level of situational awareness.”
Foote said they were asked to make an interior attack in a simulated structure, and were tested on nozzle techniques, hose management, and nozzle control spray patterns.
“So this is probably the most challenging level of the Certification to complete. They’ve done that, they still have about four modules left which should be completed by the end of June, early July, and then they’ll be fully qualified professional firefighters.”
Foote added that the Williams Lake Fire Department now has the ability to team those recruits up to be sent inside to fight a structure fire.
The live fire evaluations were done by Williams Lake Fire Chief Evan Dean, Tallon Rolston Assistant Chief, and Captain Kevin Heppner.