Above: Canadian Forces firefighters train for every conceivable incident. Below: Graduation leads to tours of duty wherever our Forces operate. Bottom: Trainees learn equipment maintenance and hazmat techniques.
Photos: Canadian Forces
to a reservist with civilian firefight- ing credentials on what it takes to become an Air Force firefighter. This excerpt provides interesting in- sights into what it takes to achieve full certification in Harbinger’s words. “I’m currently an Air Force fire-
fighter posted to CFB Trenton, so I can answer a few questions regard- ing training, the postings that you can expect, and work schedule. Can’t say much about the recruiting process, as I remustered into the trade, but I imagine prior firefight- ing experience should help. “Aptitude test scores required
are the same as infantry, although this may be changing as the trade is currently undergoing a tasking review - which hasn’t been done since 1974. This review will be com- pleted in the summer and will most likely result in the trade receiving specialist pay (fingers crossed) and may also change the entry require- ments. “Currently we have around 450 firefighters, with an average of two
to three QL3s going every year. Turnover rate is pretty high as lots of guys get out after they finish their QL5s and get on ‘civie’ depar tments, so the chances of getting into the trade are pretty good. Training is excellent – 16 week QL3 course which is a lot of fun. About half in the classroom and the rest is at the burn buildings, ripping apart cars or making entry into the aircraft mock- ups. (No driving the big trucks until you get to a fire hall) “Once your 3s are done you will
be posted to a fire hall at one of the air bases (Comox, Edmonton, Cold Lake, Winnipeg, Greenwood, Shearwater or, if you’re French, Bagotville). Your QL4s will be between six to 18 months before going back to Borden to finish your QL5s.
“While at a fire hall you work shift
work – 4 days, 4 days off – 4 nights, 4 days off – split shift of 3 days, 3 nights then 6 days off. Sweet. “Once your 5s are done, then the
trouble starts. You go to sea, and you belong to the Navy for the next three years. Not fun, but ya gotta do it. The good part is you can usu- ally get the coast you want, either Halifax or Victoria. After that it’s just luck whether you get a good ship with a good crew and a light sailing schedule, or not.”
n 28
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41