The Humboldt Fire Department helped battle blazes in northern Sasaktchewan this summer. (Humboldt Fire Department/Facebook)

By Cam Lee

Firefighting career

Humboldt Fire Department hosting recruitment information session and tryout

Aug 28, 2025 | 2:48 PM

Have an interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter?

If so, the Humboldt Fire Department has an opportunity for you to learn more about the process, and what the role entails.

They are hosting a recruitment information session and tryout Sept. 6.

Fire Chief Mike Kwasnica told northeastNOW they receive applications throughout the year, and they often hold onto them until they can hold a recruitment day.

“We go through a PowerPoint presentation of what the fire department is, what it’s all about, what are some of the requirements that we see as a fire department, and what some of the commitment levels are that we’re looking for,” explained Kwasnica.

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The event will begin with a one-hour orientation, followed by a tour of the fire hall, and finally a physical endurance test.

“We put them in bunker gear, we’ll maybe put an air pack on them, we’ll check if they’re scared of heights, that kind of stuff,” Kwasnica said. “It really is to see how they do in just a really basic form of firefighting.”

The department hasn’t held an event like this since 2019 and Kwasnica said they have been lucky not to have much turnover. However, they have recently seen three firefighters leave the department, and they are looking to fill those positions.

“We have a little bit bigger need for firefighters [at the moment], so that’s why we decided to run this course again,” Kwasnica explained.

Firefighters meet every second Monday for practice, for three to four hours at a time. Kwasnica said practices are a must for volunteer firefighters to attend unless there is a solid reason not to be there. Candidates are also expected to do volunteer work in the community throughout the year and must be available for calls.

“During the summer months of June, July, and August, and every other long weekend in the year, we do have an on-call, so we expect [at least] six members to be in town and ready to respond.”

Kwasnica said the information session is a chance for people interested in being a volunteer firefighter to learn more about what it takes to be able to shoulder that responsibility.

“We try to give them a really quick briefing of what some of the things are that they’re looking at.”

The information session and tryout will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6., with the physical assessment starting at 1 p.m.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com