Eight of Carrot River’s firefighters taking National Fire Protection Association 1001 training has been one of the key changes under first-year fire chief Bryce Lytle. (Facebook/Carrot River Fire and Rescue)

By Aaron Schulze

Fire Chief's First Year

Carrot River Fire Chief happy with recruiting and training in first year

Jun 13, 2019 | 2:58 PM

It’s been nearly one year since Bryce Lytle took over as Carrot River’s fire chief back in August.

Carrot River Fire and Rescue has 27 members on hand, with eight on the verge of completing level one of the National Fire Protection Association 1001 professional firefighter standard which would make them eligible to apply for a full time major city fire department.

Lytle said nearly all members of Carrot River Fire and Rescue signed up for 1001 training when he first opened it, but their budget only allowed eight people to train at a time.

Still, it’s been the enthusiasm of his crew that has helped Lytle enjoy his first year as a fire chief.

“It’s been a great trip right from the beginning; even now I love every single day,” Lytle told northeastNOW. “As this is my first year coming to a new department, I couldn’t be happier with the group we have. You can give me the opportunity to hire anyone I want in the world, and I guarantee you I would take the exact same group we have here.”

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Going from being an experienced firefighter to a fire chief, Lytle admitted there have been some growing pains, although his previous teaching experience in Vermilion, Alta. has helped him morph into the leadership role need for his job.

“Learning the paperwork side of it has been new to me,” Lytle said with a laugh. “It’s something I never had to do before being at the firefighter level. The most rewarding part is probably being able to pass on all the knowledge I have down to my department, to ensure them that they’re progressing to be better firefighters, as well as with having this knowledge, they’re able to be safer and they’ll be able to make it home to their family at the end of the day.”

As Lytle hopes his eight firefighters move on to Level Two of the two-year 1001 training, his plan going forward into his second year is to continue emphasizing on training and development.

“We’re getting huge responses for every call we have,” he said. “Whatever anybody wants to learn, we’re more than happy to provide it for them and make sure they can get it, so they can continue to better themselves and their protection of our community.”

The eight firefighters will take the final step in their 1001 training, a skills evaluation from the provincial government, on Saturday, June 15.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow