RDEK Paid On-Call Firefighters are being recruited this fall, with new members needed in Hosmer and rural fire departments throughout the East Kootenay.
The Regional District of East Kootenay is encouraging residents to apply before the September 30, 2026 deadline.
Rural fire departments depend on local residents to respond to structure fires, motor vehicle incidents, medical emergencies and other urgent calls.
“Our communities rely on people who are prepared to step up when the call comes,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service Chief Drew Sinclair. “No previous firefighting experience is required. We provide the training, equipment and ongoing support needed to help new recruits build the skills and confidence to serve safely and effectively.”
RDEK Paid On-Call Firefighter Recruitment
The RDEK operates fire departments in Hosmer, Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Elko, Fairmont, Windermere, Edgewater and Panorama.
Paid on-call firefighters receive compensation for emergency call-outs and training and may also be eligible for extended benefits. Recruits receive training while developing emergency response, first aid, teamwork and leadership skills.
“Every new member strengthens our ability to respond,” said Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service Deputy Chief Ben Goertzen. “When people join their local department, they are not just volunteering their time — they are helping protect their neighbours, their families and their community when it matters most.”
The recruitment drive comes as the RDEK continues planning for the future of the Hosmer Fire Hall. A 2025 RDEK review identified significant deficiencies with the existing facility, including structural, electrical, HVAC and fire-separation issues, an unreliable well and insufficient space for training and the department’s new fire engine.
Residents from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and no previous firefighting experience is required.
Applications are available through the RDEK website or can be picked up at a local fire hall.
Application deadline: September 30, 2026
For more information about the Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire and Rescue Service, call 250-429-3133.
