The Humboldt Fire Department has three open slots available for individuals wanting to become volunteer firefighters.

The HFD sent out a news release on August 9th, informing the public that they are now accepting applications for three new volunteer firefighters. 

Similar to any other smaller city or town, volunteerism is essential to the operation of the Humbodlt Fire Department.

"We couldn't operate our fire department without the volunteers that we have. We call them paid/on-call because they are paid-professionals. They're not strictly volunteers. We pay them to practice. We pay them to go on calls, and we expect them to carry themselves with professionalism. We don't allow them to be any less than say a full-time department member in Saskatoon. When they are on the job, we consider them professionals," said Humboldt's Fire Chief, Mike Kwasnica.

Applications will be accepted up until August 31st, with qualified applicants being called back for orientation and physical endurance testing on Saturday, September 7th. Following the testing, the three positions will be filled.

"You need a class-5 drivers license. You have to be a resident of Humboldt, and there will be a background check, but really, you just have to want to join the team. We are looking for individuals that are eager, they want to learn, they want to get involved with the community, and they have to get into it for the right reasons. That's the process that we look at when we do the interviews and go through the orientation day."

Being a volunteer firefighter is a demanding job, but comes with its fair share of rewarding life experience.

"It a sense of belonging to an organization that does a lot of good work within a community. We work with the RCMP and the Humboldt Ambulance.  I think once you get into an organization like a volunteer fire department, you do start to  feel more like part of the community."

You can apply for one of the three positions through the Humboldt Fire Department's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Humboldt-Fire-Department-459438940822126/, the City of Humboldt's website: http://www.humboldt.ca/humboldt-fire-department-now-accepting-applications-volunteer-fire-fighters, or pick up an application form in person at the Humboldt Fire Hall.