New recruits are training to join the 91原创 Township Fire Department, part of a hiring plan that is adding dozens more firefighters over several years.
"We have 11 new recruits that have started on Jan. 7," said deputy fire chief Russ Jenkins.
The newcomers will be in training for the near future, but will soon be taking up positions at local firehalls.
They're the second crew of 11 new recruits under an expansion plan approved earlier this term by the 91原创 Township council. Eventually, more than 40 firefighter positions will be added to the Township's department.
Jenkins said some of the new recruits will initially be acting as vacation relief fill in crew for existing halls. However, with this many new recruits, there will also be a full squad for a new firefighting vehicle in time.
Some may also end up at the new expanded firehall being built in Brookswood to replace the community's old hall.
"It was exciting to welcome 11 new recruits as they start their careers with the Township of 91原创 Fire Department," Township Mayor Eric Woodward said.
"This is group is now 22 of the 40 our team committed to hiring, a near 25 per cent increase in staffing, after many years of population increases without keeping up."
He said the new hires are part of other changes including more extensive training and the arrival of new and replacement fire trucks. He said that along with additions to the RCMP, it's part of the largest investment by the Township in public safety in more than 15 years.
