The Steinbach Fire Department is impressed by 14 outstanding recruits that have just been hired to begin training.

Though Assistant Fire Chief Russ Reimer says the screening process is quite demanding, he says many of the candidates passed it with flying colors.

30 candidates were chosen from around 60 initial applications. Reimer calls this year’s group the most physically fit he has ever seen. “We had some people who pretty much destroyed our physical test, so kudos to them, they’re in really, really good shape.”

Reimer indicates that each candidate must go through a circuit of nine stations that assess their strength, confidence, and fear of heights or claustrophobia. In addition to this, every candidate must do an interview with Fire Chief Kel Toews. “We want to know if they have the kind of character we want to let into our Steinbach Fire family,” remarks Reimer.

Russ Reimer is Steinbach's Assistant Fire Chief and Head of Training

Many of this year’s recruits had a background in hockey, observes Reimer who says sports are often great asset because it develops one’s fitness and teamwork simultaneously.

Reimer indicates that a handful of women applied as well, and while only one passed the testing, he is glad the number of females in the department is slowly moving up.

Before these recruits actually attend fire calls, Reimer notes they must go through over a year of training. He hopes all 14 recruits will stay on the team for a while, but admits that this is hardly ever the case as, statistically, some will fall away once they realize firefighting did not fit their original expectations. Reimer says he would call it a huge success if 10 or more served for a long-term period.

Overall, Reimer is very happy with the new hires and feels the Steinbach Fire Department has a bright future ahead of them.