Lethbridge Fire’s 2021 recruitment class hard at work

“[It’s as] if they’re inside of an upper story room that’s going to flash over or turn into a big ball of fire, they have to learn how to get out quick and safely,” Matheson explained.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way the fire department trains its new members. Matheson said they’re following social distancing protocols and masking where possible.

READ MORE: Firefighter training in a COVID world

The 2021 recruitment class on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 (Lethbridge News Now)

The recruitment class is also being kept in its own bubble, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“We have had to adapt but we still have to train, we still have to get our personnel up to speed,” Matheson.

He added that in some cases, classes have been as large as 18 recruits, with some classes as small as four.

No surprise, the training process takes a physical toll on the body.

“A fair amount of fitness is involved [in training] for sure. Captain Fowler has them also doing as fitness block every day, so they’re flipping tires and running stairs and all kinds of stuff like that to keep them in shape,” Matheson remarked.

JOEY EGGINS

Joey Eggins is one of the recruits in the 2021 class.

He said his brother is a paramedic and told Joey for years that he should embark on a career in the field.

After foregoing that option for some time, Eggins eventually decided to become a paramedic himself. He also received his firefighting certification, which brought him to Lethbridge.

Eggins has lived in Medicine Hat for the last 10 years but decided to come to Lethbridge as the city offers an integrated fire service.

“So, they do emergency medicine as well as firefighting certification and I have both of those qualifications, so this is a perfect fit for me,” he said.

Before taking on this career path, Eggins worked as a heavy equipment operator in the oil patch for 12 years. He noted rough times in that industry also played a part in his decision to become a firefighter/paramedic.

“When I saw the downturn coming, I decided to go back to school and get an education so I could get a job just like this one,” he said.

Like Mark Matheson, Eggins noted the intensity of the training process.

“The training is pretty extensive. The training that we’re doing today, with the ladders… that’s training that you do on the training grounds and you hope that you never actually have to use that training in person because this is obviously a last ditch effort that you’re bailing out the window like we’re doing today,” he stated.

A recruit coming down the ladder at the Lethbridge training centre’s Dräger building on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 (Lethbridge News Now)

Eggins said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to members taking a bit more time to get through the training process. However, working in a small group has resulted in a strong sense of family.

“The camaraderie with us, we’ve only actually known each other in our recruit class for the last three weeks, but we already are developing relationships with each other and good bonds. I would say we’re already a family mentality, we all look out for each other and help each other when somebody’s in need of help.”

TAMARA LABAS AND KELSEA FOSTER

Two of Eggins’ fellow recruits are Tamara Labas and Kelsea Foster.

Both say so far, the training process has been exciting, and they’ve learned a lot.

“I knew I wanted to be a paramedic and I did my EMT practicum here about two years ago at this station. The guys that I was training with were just amazing and it just solidified the idea that I wanted to be here full-time for my career,” said Labas.

“I did my practicums in an integrated service and found out all about firefighting and paramedic together, and thought it was an awesome concept and I really wanted to be a part of it since then,” added Foster.

(Lethbridge News Now)

Labas said within the first week of training, the group was joking around and got close.

“We all fit in great and having a great time,” she said.

Labas said she’s looking forward to using her skills in the back of an ambulance again.

“And of course, firefighting. If any of that comes along in our path, I can’t wait to get my hands dirty with that.”

Foster, meanwhile, said she’s excited to get to know other members of the Lethbridge Fire Department.

“I can’t wait to get on and be on a platoon and get close with everyone else in the department because we’re in a little bubble right now, so it’s going to be nice to get out there and possibly use the skills that we learn,” she said.

Foster said she wants to make the community feel comfortable and safe when they’re in a potentially dangerous situation and noted that so far, the education the class has received has been top-notch.

Labas added that the whole crew is “giving it their all” in training, and plan to take that attitude out into the field.

The 2021 recruitment class will finish their formal training at the Lethbridge training grounds in June, with a mentorship program set for the spring. Recruits are expected to be out on the streets by this summer.

by Justin Goulet with video by Connor Gunn

Lethbridge Fire’s 2021 recruitment class hard at work

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