Task force aims to hire new volunteer firefighters in rural Sudbury

Plans are underway to set up a new task force in Greater Sudbury, Ont., that would develop a plan to attract more volunteer firefighters.

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"I think we have to do something to train everybody who wants to apply, who's qualified and make sure that we use them," councillor Robert Kirwan said during Monday's emergency services committee meeting. 

"We'd rather have too many people show up than not enough to a fire."

Volunteers are needed in Beaver Lake, Dowling, Levack, Falconbridge, Skead and Wahnapitae, according to fire chief Trevor Bain.

"It's some of the more rural areas that we suffer the challenges of trying to maintain ... volunteers both from a training and an attendance perspective," Bain said.

The city recently received 110 applications from interested people. At least 60 made it to the interview and fitness testing stage, and 40 candidates passed.

But, only 25 were selected because that's how many could fit in the city's training session, according to assistant deputy fire chief Jesse Oshell.

Bain also noted that those potential candidates come from areas where there are already enough volunteers.

'Maybe its the recruiting process that has issues'

Some city councillors feel those numbers are too low. 

"We have a population of over 160,000 in the Greater City of Sudbury, and for us to only be able to come up with 110 applicants, I believe that maybe it's the recruiting process that has the issues," said councillor Michael Vagnini.  

Vagnini passed a motion during Monday's meeting to train the remaining 15 qualified recruits by the end of the year. 

"I don't believe there's anything wrong with the recruiting process," Bain said.

"I believe we've actually went beyond what we have in the past in terms of communicating the opportunity to be a volunteer firefighter both using various media, social media and mainstream media."

Still, Bain said he's committed to increasing recruitment numbers. 

Once established, the new task force is expected to meet before the end of November. 

It will then present a report to councillors with a plan for how to attract and retain more volunteer firefighters early next year.