There are plenty of empty hooks at both fire halls in Highlands.

Staffed with a small operational group of firefighters, Highlands Volunteer Fire Department is looking for more residents to fill its roster.

Ideally the department needs about 35 members, but it sitting at a mere 18. With less than ideal numbers fire Chief Guy Brisebois said he is quick to call in mutual aid when needed.

B次元官网网址淭he day (shifts) are pretty tricky for us because we donB次元官网网址檛 know who is going to show up,B次元官网网址� Brisebois said.

All candidates for the department must be at least 19 years old, be physically fit and have a clear criminal record. Both men and women are encouraged to apply. B次元官网网址淲e provide all the training,B次元官网网址� Brisebois said.

ItB次元官网网址檚 not uncommon for someone to join the department and then decide they are not up for the training, usually physical work three to four hours per week Thursday evenings and some weekends.

Brisbois suspects Highlands has trouble retaining firefighters due to the districtB次元官网网址檚 greying population. Many people who have served with the department have left as they have aged, and fewer young people are moving into the district.

In 2011 the department had six members join and about the same number leave. So far this year no one has signed on. A rural, heavily forested area, Highlands has just over 2,100 residents to draw from.

Firefighters in their 50s have told Brisebois that they are reluctant to retire from the department because there is no one to replace them.

Any young recruits who do join the department tend to be still living with their parents.

B次元官网网址淵oung guys move out of mom and dadB次元官网网址檚 house and since there is no apartment building, (they leave the district),B次元官网网址� Brisebois said.

Years ago Highlands fire department would only accept homeowners as volunteer firefighters to ensure the force was staffed with people likely to stay in the district. With a struggle to get enough volunteers that stipulation was lifted.

B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 do it without the renters,B次元官网网址� Brisebois said. Only a handful of the departmentB次元官网网址檚 members own homes in the district.

Some small fire departments try to find people who work within the municipality to add to the firefighter pool, but, as Brisebois points out, Highlands is a bedroom community without many businesses at all.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a rewarding experience,B次元官网网址� said Brisebois, who has been with the department for 13 years. B次元官网网址淏ut, itB次元官网网址檚 not for everyone.B次元官网网址�

For more information on joining Highlands Volunteer Fire Department, call Brisebois at 250-920-6970.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com