By Cheryl Jahn

Salmon Valley Fire Department Recruiting

Aug 10, 2021 | 3:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Salmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department is a little different than the dozen others around Prince George. That’s because more than two-thirds of the firefighters are women and an even greater number are medical responders, which they say is even more important with Ambulance wait times getting longer.

“I was looking for something,” explains Bobbi Carpino. “I was looking for a challenge and serving the community is really huge for me. So when I first moved out here I wanted to get involved. So I joined the community association and just wanted something a litttle more exciting.”

Kimi Wertz is so keen as a firefighter, she returned to fighting fires one month after having a baby.

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“I do it for the sense of community and the sense of accomplishment. Probably would be the two biggest reasons why I come every day. I love it. It’s like family.”

BUT COVID has been challenging for the past 18 months.

“There have been some restrictions around who can come in and out of the hall,” explains Carpino, who does some of the training. “And just with training in general. We’re really had to shift things up quite a bit.”

But the department is recruiting.

“The skill sets that we’re looking for are dedication,” explains Fire Chief Dee Burden. “You do have to be somewhat physically capable of hauling heavy hoses, climbing ladders. But our requirements are very flexible. If there is something that you simply cannot do or are not willing to do, we can easily work around that.”

Another requirement: you have to live within 15 minutes of the Fire Hall, but that also includes the Hart.

There is an open house set for August 24th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fire Hall at 5155 Salmon Valley Road.