Spaniard’s Bay Fire Department to establish junior fire brigade

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay council has approved the fire chief’s request for approval to start a junior firefighters program.

The request from Fire Chief Curt Roberts was considered at council’s February 4 meeting. The chief is looking to establish a junior fire brigade of up to six members.

Members of the junior fire brigade will not be permitted at emergency scenes, but will receive basic fire training.

The Spaniard’s Bay Fire Department has run such a program over the years. The last program had three participants, two of whom are now serving in the fire department as official members. The other participant was a foreign exchange student who was interested in going into the fire service when he returned to his home country. Junior fire brigades have also been successful in other communities, such as Bay Roberts.

Councillor Eric Jewer made the motion to approve the junior fire brigade with a maximum of six members. It was seconded by Councillor Debbie Newman, and all members present voted unanimously in favour.

“I just think it’s fantastic,” said Councillor Sherry Lundrigan. “At least then the younger ones will get the feel of it. Because, you take it, everyone’s getting older, and young people got to start being interested in stuff because, if not, we’re not going to have enough of them left.”

Jewer also remarked on the program’s benefit to the town. “They’re pretty well-trained when they become of age to become a firefighter,” he said.

Mayor Paul Brazil noted the Town will not need to pay to outfit the junior firefighters.

Town Manager Tony Ryan echoed this, explaining the fire department has older bunker suits that can be used by participants in the program. While the bunker suits may not be in pristine condition, they can be used for training.