Frequently Asked Questions

When is practice?
Practice is Monday nights (Tuesday if Monday is a statutory holiday) x50 weeks per year.

How long is the program?
The Recruit Program is 10 to 11 months long.

What is the PVFD's call volume?
The PVFD responds to 350+ emergency calls each year.

Are there any opportunities?
Many different and varied training opportunities will be available to you.

How do you know when there is a call?
Members are dispatched to emergencies via radio pagers, and are expected to respond to the fire hall when paged.

Why become a volunteer?
There are many reasons to consider joining the PVFD. For starters, it's a great way of contributing to your local community. You can learn new skills, from firefighting and first aid to communications and technical rescue. Plus, you'll make new friends that you're likely to have for the rest of your life.

Who can become a volunteer?
Just like the communities they come from, the PVFD is made up of people from all walks of life. There are men and women from all types of cultural backgrounds, age groups and professions. As long as you're over the age of 19, you can apply to join as a volunteer. For people under the age of 19, we offer a junior program, giving you a great introduction to life as a member of the PVFD.

I'm not sure I have the time...
The time commitment is significant. Recruit members practice a minimum of two hours, every Monday evening (Tuesdays when Monday is a holiday), typically between 19:00 hours and 21:15 hours, 50 weeks per year and attend one weekend training session per month for the first 11 months. Regular Members practice for a minimum of two hours, every Monday evening (Tuesdays when Monday is a holiday), typically between 19:00 hours and 21:15 hours, 50 weeks per year. Additional weekend and/or weekday training is offered on a regular basis.

How do I become a member?
The process is easy. Firstly, download an application form here, or pick one up at the fire hall's headquarters..

What's the process?
Once you've filled out and submitted an application form along with a criminal record check and a driver's abstract, you'll be invited to a quick interview. Once those checks are complete, you'll get a letter telling you if you've been successful. If you are, you're accepted as a probationary member for 11 months.

What kind of training is there?
If you're accepted as a volunteer, you'll have to undertake the PVFD recruit training program. This program runs from 10 to 11 months and will teach you about the PVFD, how we work safely, the equipment we use and how we deal with the threat of fire. Later, you can train in Advanced Fire Fighting, Technical Rescue, First Aid or leading our crews in the field.

What if I want to know more?
Talk to members of the department or stop by the PVFD Headquarters. You can also contact us for more information.

What are the phyiscal requirements?
Firefighting can be strenuous and requires good physical fitness. Members need to be able to raise ground ladders, hoist equipment, climb stair wells, drag water filled hose lines, operate equipment and perform a miryad of other tasks, all while under the stress of an emergency situation and wearing up to 60 lbs (27 Kgs) of personal protective equipment.

What age do I have to be in order to become a firefighter?
Regular members range in age from 19 to 60 years of age. The department also offers a junior member program for persons between 16 and 19 years of age.

Benefits

Training
Some training stipends
Sense of accomplishment
Member of team (family)
Helping your community/giving

Why a Volunteer/Paid on Call Department?

Economics - Maintaining or increasing service while keeping costs while financial resources are tight. Keeping costs down.
It is important to remember that while economics plays a roll, volunteers are not free. "They are highly training professionals who donate their time and expertise to protect and serve our neighbours in the event of a fire, medical or other emergency." They do the same job as a career firefighter.
Public relations
They share the experiences from their private lives with the fire department - fire a general benfit of the organization and community.
Only available alternative in many communities.
They provide for a better community understanding of financial needs.
Sense of belonging
Achievement
Increased responsibility
Self-Respect
Understanding
Challenge
Recognition
Reward
Growth and development
Need to have fun and enjoy one's environment

Process

The Parksville Volunteer Fire Department accepts applications for Volunteer Paid-Call Firefighters throughout the year. Applications are reviewed during the PVFD's annual recruiting drive - normally in February and March.

When recruitment begins:

Advertisements are posted in all local newspapers, on the City's website and here at PVFD.ca.
Candidates are encouraged to consider carefully their qualifications against the required qualifications prior to completing and submitting the application form.
Candidates should be aware that the level of commitment required is significant. All candidates are encouraged to contact the fire department with any questions.

Recruitment process:

Includes a written application form, short listing of applicants, physical assessment and aptitude testing, a panel interview and references.
Criminal record search and driving record to be submitted along with the application. Appointments are conditional upon a satisfactory criminal record search.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a medical assessment by their physician. (Paid for by the PVFD).
At the end of the process, the required number of successful applicants are hired, however if there are more successful applicants than needed, an eligibility list may be created and kept until the next recruiting campaign.
Please note candidates may be eliminated from consideration at several stages in the recruiting/testing process.

Timeline

Advertising - February and March, 2012
Applications for the current year recruit class will be accepted until March 30, 2012. Any applications received after this date will be kept on file for the next recruiting process.

Initial Short Listing - April 3, 2012
All short listed applicants will be contacted April 3-5, 2012

Candidate Interviews by Panel - April 10-13, 2012
All short listed applicants will be interviewed and further short listed.

Second short list by Chief and/or designate - April 17, 2012

Department Physical/Dexterity Testing - April 19, 2012
All remaining applicants will participate in job related physical assessments.

Final Selection; advising all applicants - April 20, 2012
Job offers will be made to those applicants chosen.

Sizing Night - April 23, 2012

Recruit Class Start Date - May 7, 2012
New recruit firefighters arrive at the Parksville FIre Station (160 Jensen Avenue West, Parksville) for orientation and issue of training materials.

Commitment

General

Attend 70% of weekly practices. Practices are held every Monday evening (Tuesdays when Monday is a Stat), between 19:00 hours to 21:15 hours (7pm to 9:15pm).
Respond to emergencies during the day, evening and night.
Participate in scheduled Sunday morning equipment maintenance (approx. once every eight weeks).
Complete required training in a timely manner.
Promote public safety.
Never pass up the opportunity to recruit a quality new member.
Work as a member of the team, for the benefit of the public, the PVFD and the fire service.
At all times act in a manner that will reflect positively on the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department.

Recruit Firefighers

Attend as close to 100% of weekly practices as possible during the first 10 to 11 months.
Attend on two-day weekend training session each month month, for the first 10 to 11 months.
Be prepared to learn.