Comments for The Fire Within Blog

Comment on Volunteer Panda’s by TEENS

TEENS — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:53:50 +0000

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Comment on Qualified?, By Tim Beebe by Kandice Houchen

Kandice Houchen — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:01:17 +0000

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Comment on The life of Volunteer Firefighters, by Keely Schellenberg by Darren Remenda

Darren Remenda — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 06:05:24 +0000

great article! there are some small towns who do not get paid still in Saskatchewan but with the current goverment at least they will have a chance at an incom tax break. i have been on both non paid and now on a paid on call dept and it wouldnt matter if i wasnt. It`s about the comunity and friends.

Comment on The life of Volunteer Firefighters, by Keely Schellenberg by Keely Schellenberg

Keely Schellenberg — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:45:16 +0000

Thanks for the insight James – I have to agree, the sentiment around the wages here are similar, I’m not sure I’ve met a local volunteer who could actually tell me how much they are paid per hour of active work – it’s so not the point.

Thanks for your very well put support to the sentiment, you hit the nail on the head for sure!

Comment on The life of Volunteer Firefighters, by Keely Schellenberg by James Lindsay

James Lindsay — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:22:36 +0000

We are one of the volunteer departments who actually get paid for calls, meetings, and training sessions. And here’s where it gets a little funny…

Our town has been faced with a continually declining tax base since the closure of the various mines in the area. A once prosperous community of about 4,000 residents is currently struggling by with about 700. While the fire protection is still required to be maintained at the same level, the money to do so continues to decline. For years, one thing actually went un-noticed by local government and the department itself:

Wages.

Recently, our Chief was contacted by a Chief from another Northern Manitoba Municipality, asking what we were paid for wages. The other Chief was obtaining data to use in negotiating a raise for his department. Our Chief didn’t know what we were being paid, but promised to find out and get back to him.

Turns out, a simple call to the Town Office didn’t yield a quick and easy answer. With their payroll system, they report hours to the company that manages the payroll. Nobody locally knew what we were being paid, as over the years, there had been changes in the Council, CEO, and Office Administration.

As it turns out, our volunteers were getting paid a fair bit less than the Provincial Minimum Wage. Ooops.

This was expediently remedied at the next Council Meeting four days later, here our rate was raised to the new Provincial Minimum Wage that will be effective October 1st.

My point? It was interesting to note that not a single member of our department was upset that we had been making less than a high school kid working at the local gas station. Instead, we all had a good laugh about it.

We are more than aware that there are a number of departments who don’t receive any compensation for the service they provide, and we salute them for it.

When asked around the table if we would continue to do the job without any salary… Well, I’ll let you take a guess at the answer. It isn’t a question we ask or answer in front of Council, who has to balance the books any way they can.

There are things in this world which simply must be done and, fortunately, people who are willing to step up to do them. I think that that sentiment has to be at the heart of every volunteer firefighter I have ever met.

Stay safe.

Comment on Do Volunteer Firefighters “get it”?, by Chad Sartison by Lloyd Delves

Lloyd Delves — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:40:17 +0000

That was a very good article. In BC we have seen several occasions where volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters have pulled together to deal with serious situations and then to help after. We have to consider ourselves as a family or brotherhood and stick together through thick and thin. I do beleive that with our busy lives we have wandered away from the close fellowship we had in years gone by. We would have building parties cement mixing days and pool parties at someone’s home. I have not been in a pure volunteer department for several years now, but the paid-on-call, combined with a composite department has money and career advancement overriding the old time felllowship. I totally agree that we must get together as a group and stick together for many things, health, funding, retention (wages or pension). Keep up the good work.

Comment on Do Volunteer Firefighters “get it”?, by Chad Sartison by Chief Goertz

Chief Goertz — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:51:33 +0000

I keep thinking that our small dept is getting there, and then you open your mouth and these great / wise words come out and make me realize that we have so much further to go. You are absolutely right in saying that overall as volunteers we spend so much time and energy training and learning that we forget or just don’t know that we need to educate our communities at the same time. The Firefighters 1st group is doing an absolutely great job in bringing all of our groups together and getting the word out there. I am proud to be a part of this selfless fraternity called FIREFIGHTERS and my heart goes out to the citizens and the firefighters of Slave Lake and area.

Comment on Do Volunteer Firefighters “get it”?, by Chad Sartison by raymond

raymond — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:14:19 +0000

I have been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 15 years, I am proud to say that there were scores of other BROTHERS and SISTERS ready to roll at a moments notice if it was ever neededfrom other areas too.

Comment on Do Volunteer Firefighters “get it”?, by Chad Sartison by Betty Thompson-Reeves, Swan Hills, AB

Betty Thompson-Reeves, Swan Hills, AB — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 17:57:12 +0000

This was an excellent message. It made me cry and maybe it was the first time that I actually felt extra special for what I am involved with.

I always thought it was a privilege to be on the department and I love being able to help my community and the people in it. I find it a gift to be able to do my part and do it the best that I can.

Thank- you again for such a great well stated story. I loved it.

Comment on The life of Volunteer Firefighters, by Keely Schellenberg by Keely Schellenberg

Keely Schellenberg — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:54:43 +0000

Tim is correct, when this article was initially written it was with the intent to publish locally. In our area, and those around us, this is how the volunteer run departments operate.

I will admit though, I am surprised that this isn’t the case in other provinces, though I understand Manitoba has come a long way when it comes to volunteer recognition (be it through coverage from Workers Comp, or the ability for some departments to discuss unionizing).

I truly hope that the regions that do not offer such recognition will follow suite soon.